NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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THE WHITE WOLF
By ELMER R. GREGOR
White Otter
Running Fox
The White Wolf
These are Appleton Books
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
Publishers New York
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PUBIIC
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HE WAS CROUCHING AND CLOSELY SCANNING THE GROUND
[page 134].
THE
WHITE WOLF
BY
ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR
AUTHOB OF "SUNNING FOX," "WHITE OTTEB," ETC.
FRONTISPIECE BT
D. C. HUTCHINSON
<-
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
NEW YORK : 1921 : LONDON
TES NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTCIi, LENOX A>5D
TlLuiN KODNUAlIONS
R 1944
COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
PBINTED IN THE UNITED 9TATE3 OF AMEHICA
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE HUNTING MOON 1
II. A CRY IN THE NIGHT 11
III. A BATTLE OF GIANTS 24
IV. THE LYNX DEN 36
V. THE WOUNDED ELK 56
VI. A FOREST FIRE 67
VII. THE HUNGER MOON 76
VIII. SKY DOG TELLS A STORY .,.,,... 90
IX. OFF ON A PERILOUS QUEST 106
X. THE LONE SENTINEL 125
XI. A HOSTILE CAMP 143
XII. THE UNKNOWN CAPTIVE 151
XIII. A DARING RESCUE 161
XIV. THE BLIZZARD 172
XV. A FRESH TRAIL t ^ . 193
XVI. AT BAY 204
XVII. MOHAWKS! * ^ . . 222
XVIII. A DESPERATE PLIGHT 237
XIX. A KUNNING FIGHT 249
XX. THE TRIUMPHANT EETURN 258
The
WHITE WOLF
CHAPTEE I
THE HUNTING MOON
POOXIT, the time of falling leaves, had passed,
and Mauwallauwin, the time for hunting, was
at hand. The Delaware camp hummed with
activity. The Delawares were preparing for
the great autumn hunt. It was the sole topic of
conversation. They had thought of little else
since the celebration of their annual harvest
festival some weeks previous. Many hunting
parties had been organized, each under com-
mand of a skillful leader. There was keen
rivalry between these men, each of whom hoped
to win glory by securing the most game. All of
them had spent many days fasting, and praying
to Getanittowit, the Great One, and to make
doubly sure of success they had given many
presents to old Sky Dog, the medicine-man, who
had made the same boastful pledges to all. As
usual, the most renowned hunters gained the
most recruits, as each man was eager to enlist
1
The White Wolf
in the company which seemed likely to be most
successful.
One of the most popular leaders was the
famous young warrior Kunning Fox, the son of
the Delaware war-chief. This lad of seventeen
winters had gained great fame the previous
year in a series of daring exploits against the
Mohawks. Accompanied by a single companion
he had journeyed to the Mohawk camp, and
after a long and perilous captivity succeeded
in carrying away a famous medicine-trophy
which the Delawares believed made the great
Mohawk chief, Standing Wolf, invincible.
Later, when Standing Wolf led an immense
war-party against the Delaware camp, Kunning
Fox killed him in a desperate hand-to-hand
encounter, and led the Delawares to a splendid
victory.
These great achievements convinced the Del-
awares that the Mohawk medicine-trophy had
given Eunning Fox the same mysterious
powers which for years they had credited to
Standing Wolf. They looked upon the lad as
one destined to become even a greater leader
than his father, their famous chief, Black
Panther, and they were eager to follow him in
anything he might undertake.
Running Fox, therefore, had his choice of the
best hunters in the tribe. However, he selected
only a few of the most skillful from the great
2
The Hunting Moon
number who asked to join his company. The
first of those chosen was his friend Spotted
Deer, a young warrior of his own age, who had
shared his adventures with the Mohawks.
' ' Running Fox, you have asked me to go with
you. It is good," said Spotted Deer. "You
are a great warrior, and a good hunter. I be-
lieve we will kill the most game."
"Spotted Deer, you are my brother. Wo
have done some big things together. I will al-
ways ask you to go with me," replied Running
Fox.
At twilight criers went through the village
telling the people that Mauwallauwin, the hunt-
ing moon, would soon appear, and calling upon
all to prepare to greet him. The Delawares
hastened to the council fire in the center of the
camp, where the chiefs and hunters had already
assembled.
"My people, look up there," Black Panther
cried, pointing toward the eastern sky. "Pretty
soon the great Mauwallauwin will appear.
First he will peep over the top of that ridge to
see if we are ready to receive him. When you
see the top of his head you must shout out his
name. Then he will know that we have been
watching for him, and he will feel good. When
he shows himself we will begin singing the hunt-
ing songs. See, the light is going. Pretty soon
he will come. Watch."
3
The White Wolf
An impressive silence fell upon the assem-
blage. Only the crackle of the flames broke the
stillness. The Delawares, men, women and chil-
dren, stood rigid, with their eyes fixed expect-
antly on the eastern sky. Thus they waited
while the twilight slowly faded, and the night
shadows darkened the heavens.
Then the first stars appeared directly above
the camp, and old Sky Dog unwrapped the
sacred medicine-pipe. He carried it to the fire
that he might be ready to light it as soon as
Mauwallauwin showed himself. A few moments
later the first faint glow showed in the east.
"He is coming," the Delawares whispered,
excitedly.
They watched patiently while the light grad-
ually strengthened, and then as a small rim of
gold appeared above the somber black ridge
they united in a great shout of welcome.
"Hi, Mauwallauwin, we see you!" they
shouted. "See, we are waiting for you."
Then as the great yellow hunting moon rose
slowly in view the aged medicine-man lighted
the pipe, and puffed the smoke toward the east-
ern sky. Three times he puffed the smoke, and
then he extended the pipe stem as an invitation
for Mauwallauwin to smoke. "When this simple
act of devotion had been observed, he turned to
the Delawares and asked them to join him in
the song of welcome.
4
The Hunting Moon
'Hi, here is the great Mauwallauwin.
It is Mauwallauwin, our brother.
It is Mauwallauwin, the great hunter.
Mauwallauwin has come to help us.
Great Mauwallauwin, take pity on us.
O Great Hunter, send us much meat.'
As the moon rose clear of the ridge, Black
Panther raised his hand as a signal to cease
singing. Then he called the hunters before
him. When they had assembled, he turned his
face toward the heavens, and addressed the
great Mauwallauwin.
"See, Mauwallauwin, these hunters have
come here to greet you. You are their chief.
You are the greatest hunter of all. Pretty
soon these men will go away to hunt. Great
Mauwallauwin, help them so that they will
bring back plenty of meat. Great Hunter,
take pity on us. I have spoken. "
When Black Panther finished his appeal, the
hunters formed a circle about the fire, and be-
gan the hunting dance. Each company fol-
lowed its leader, and each leader tried to sur-
pass his fellows in the wild antics of the dance.
It was a fascinating spectacle as the sinewy
young warriors circled slowly about the fire,
going through all the maneuvers of the chase.
Some stooped and searched the ground for
tracks. Some crept stealthily forward as if
stalking game. Some aimed their arrows at
5
The White Wolf
imaginary targets. Some engaged in desperate
struggles with imaginary bears, stabbing and
lunging fiercely with their hunting knives. All
continually imitated the cries and calls of the
different birds and beasts which they hoped to
kill.
Then, while the dance was at its height, old
Sky Dog suddenly rushed into the circle, and
called upon the dancers to stop. As his as-
tonished tribesmen began to remonstrate, the
excited medicine-man pointed frantically to-
ward the sky. The Delawares saw that the
moon had disappeared behind a bank of clouds.
"It is a bad sign!" cried Sky Dog. "Mau-
wallauwin has covered his face. Something has
made him angry."
The Delawares peered anxiously into the sky,
hoping each moment that the great Mauwallau-
win would show himself. Then as the heavens
grew steadily darker, and even the stars began
to disappear, a great fear fell upon the people.
' ' We have driven away Mauwallauwin ! ' ' they
cried in dismay. "The Great Hunter has
turned against us."
The superstitious Delawares were thrown
into a panic. They had little doubt that the
sudden disappearance of the hunting moon fore-
told some great disaster. To add to their
alarm, a great wind swept down from the
ridges, and scattered the embers of their fire
6
The Hunting Moon
about the camp so that the bark lodges were in
danger of taking fire.
"See, Mauwallauwin has sent Lowanachen,
the north wind, to kill our fire, and burn our
lodges I" cried the terrorized Delawares.
" Listen, my people, I have something to tell
you, ' ' said Black Panther. ' ' Mauwallauwin has
turned away. It is a bad sign. We must be
brave. We are not children. Fierce Lowana-
chen is making a great noise. Well, we have
heard him before. He cannot frighten us.
Come, we will ask Sky Dog to do something."
"My friends, I do not like this thing/' Sky
Dog told them. "I am an old man. I remem-
ber a long ways back. I have seen this hap-
pen before. When it came to pass much
trouble came upon us. For many moons we
were very hungry. If Mauwallauwin has
turned against us, it will be hard to find meat.
It is bad, but I am not afraid. Lowanachen
does not frighten me. Pretty soon I will do
something to drive him away. Now all of you
must do just as I tell you. Perhaps I can bring
back Mauwallauwin/
Having finished his talk, the old medicine-
man hurried to his lodge, and returned with a
bundle of dried herbs. He threw several hand-
fuls upon the fire. Then he began to dance.
He hopped awkwardly about in a small circle,
shaking a turtle-shell rattle filled with corn,
7
The White Wolf
and singing a sacred medicine- song. When lie
was quite exhausted he lighted the medicine-
pipe, and puffed the smoke toward the earth,
the sky and the north.
"See, he is driving away Lowanachen," whis-
pered the Delawares, as the wind chanced to
slacken its fury. Encouraged by the confidence
of his tribesmen, Sky Dog increased his exer-
tions. Carried away by superstitious zeal, the
old medicine-man pranced about the fire with the
agility of a youth. The Delawares looked upon
him with astonishment. They believed that he
had suddenly become possessed of some mys*
terious power which transformed him into a
superior being. As he danced, and shouted, and
waved his sacred rattle the tempest passed, and
a sudden calm settled upon the wilderness. The
Delawares were convinced that Sky Dog was re-
sponsible for it.
' ' He has frightened away fierce Lowanachen.
Perhaps he will call back Mauwallauwin, ' they
told one another, hopefully.
However, in spite of his exertions which he
continued until he dropped with exhaustion,
the moon failed to show itself. The heavens re-
mained black and threatening, and the Dela-
wares went to their lodges in despair. Some of
the old men recalled similar occurrences, and
they declared that great privation and suffering
invariably followed.
8
The Hunting Moon
"It is bad," they cried ominously, when any
one questioned them.
The hunters were filled with gloom. Each
secretly wondered if the leader under whom he
had enlisted had in some manner earned the
displeasure of Mauwallauwin. The leaders,
themselves, were equally disturbed. Each real-
ized that bad luck in the hunt would surely be
interpreted by his tribesmen as proof that it
was he who had incurred the ill-will of Mau-
wallauwin.
None felt a keener sense of his responsibility
than Kunning Fox. As the youngest of all the
hunting leaders, he was particularly eager to
bring honor to the famous hunters who had en-
listed in his company. He realized that those
men were risking their reputations on his abil-
ity, and he dreaded to think of failing them.
The mere possibility threw him into the deep-
est despair. Until the strange disappearance
of Mauwallauwin he had felt confident of suc-
cess. Since that unfortunate incident, however,
he, too, had become a prey to many gloomy fore-
bodings.
Twice during the long night Eunning Fox
stole quietly from his father's lodge, and made
his way to the edge of the camp to watch for
Mauwallauwin. The second time he found his
friend Spotted Deer entering the village.
"Hi, my brother, I see that you are watch-
9
The White Wolf
ing for Mauwallauwin to come back, ' ' said Bun-
ning Fox.
"Yes, Bunning Fox, I have been up there on
that ridge trying to find him," Spotted Deer
replied, gloomily.
"Well, did you see him?" Bunning Fox in-
quired, anxiously.
"No, I did not see anything of him," said
Spotted Deer. ' ' But I heard something strange
up there on that ridge."
"What was it?" asked Bunning Fox.
"I do not know," Spotted Deer told him. "It
sounded like Timmeu, the wolf, but it was dif-
ferent. First it came from far away where
fierce Lowanachen lives. Then it came from
over there where the light appears. Then
pretty soon it came from over there where the
sun sleeps. It was mysterious. That is all I
know about it."
"Perhaps it was Lowanachen," suggested
Bunning Fox. "Perhaps he is mad because
Sky Dog frightened him away."
"I do not know what it was, but I believe it
was something bad," Spotted Deer declared,
uneasily.
The lads continued to watch for Mauwallau-
win until the first pale hint of daylight showed
in the east. Then they gave up hope, and re-
tired to their lodges to prepare for the hunt.
CHAPTER
A CRY IN THE NIGHT
TACHQUOAKCHEEN, the great autumn hunt, be-
gan at daylight. As the last lingering night
shadows faded from the wilderness, the Dela-
ware hunters left the camp, and formed in
companies before the village. Then they pa-
raded slowly about the village, singing their
hunting songs. The Delawares watched them
in silence. The gayety and enthusiasm which
usually marked the event were strangely lack-
ing. An air of depression seemed to have settled
upon the tribe. The strange behavior of Mau-
wallauwin had filled the Delawares with grave
doubts for the success of the hunt, and they had
little heart for rejoicing. After completing the
customary ceremony, therefore, the hunters
slipped silently away into the dim solitudes of
the forest. They were gone almost before the
Delawares realized it.
"See, the hunters have left us," cried Black
Panther. "They have gone to bring us meat.
Come, we must ask Getanittowit, the Great One,
to help them. We must make many smokes to
Mauwallauwin, the Great Hunter. 7 '
11
The White Wolf
The camp contained only the chiefs, the medi-
cine-man, the old people, and the women and
children. Sky Dog called upon all of them to
assemble before the Council Lodge. Then, once
again, they smoked the peace-pipe, and sang to
Mauwallauwin to help them.
"0 Great Mauwallauwin, take pity on us.
Great Hunter, send us meat.
O Great Mauwallauwin, help us.
Mauwallauwin, you have frightened us.
Great Mauwallauwin, make us strong again."
The wavering voices of the old men, the high
tones of the women, and the shrill cries of the
children united in a stirring appeal that rose
from the camp, and followed the hunters into
the wilderness.
Soon after leaving the camp the hunting par-
ties separated, and set out in different direc-
tions. They planned to form a great circle,
and then gradually close in, to trap whatever
game might be between them. The hunt was
scheduled to continue five days, and at the end
of that time they agreed to return to the village
with their trophies.
The party led by Eunning Fox was composed
of ten hunters including the youthful leader.
It was a notable company, for most of its mem-
bers were famous both as hunters and warriors.
Among them was Painted Hawk, a noted bear
12
A Cry in the Night
hunter, a man who had gained great fame by
his daring exploits on the war-trail. Another
famous member was Yellow Wolf, a great stal-
wart warrior who had led two successful war
expeditions against the Shawnees. Then there
was Dancing Owl, a hot-tempered young war-
rior who had ambushed and killed several Mo-
hawk scouts whom he discovered prowling
about the Delaware camp. There was also
Crooked Foot, a great hunter and scout, whose
body bore the scars from a desperate fight with
a wounded panther. The others were equally
renowned, and Eunning Fox looked upon them
with pride and respect.
When the hunting parties separated, Eunning
Fox led his companions toward the west. They
made their way to the summit of a high pine-
clad ridge which commanded a splendid view
of the surrounding country. Then Eunning
Fox stopped to hold a council.
' ' My friends, before we begin this great hunt
I will give you some words,' he told them.
"Look about you. Getanittowit, the Great One,
has made everything good. He has given us
a good place to live in. He has put the water
here. He has put fish in the water. He has put
the woods here. He has put game in the woods.
He has told us when to fish. He has told us
when to hunt. Now it is time to hunt. We
have come here to find meat for our people.
13
The White Wolf
We must do our best. My friends, you are
great hunters. I will not tell you what to do.
You know how to find the things we have come
to kill. It is enough. Now we will see what we
can find. I have finished/
Bunning Fox divided his little company into
patrols of two warriors each, and permitted
them to select their own hunting territory. As
usual, he asked Spotted Deer to accompany him.
Then he appointed a rendezvous where all were
to meet at the end of the fifth day. It was
agreed, however, that if any of them should dis-
cover signs of enemies they would immediately
warn their comrades. The call of Grokhos, the
barred owl, to be given three times and ended
abruptly the third time, was selected as the dan-
ger signal.
Having arranged these details, the hunters
immediately separated. Bunning Fox and
Spotted Deer set out toward the north. For
some time they continued along the top of the
ridge, carefully scanning the country in which
they intended to hunt. A considerable distance
to the westward a good-sized woodland lake
showed distinctly against the somber back-
ground of the forest. The Delawares called it
Moschpekat, clear water. It was a favorite
hunting ground, and both Bunning Fox and
Spotted Deer had often trapped and hunted
along its shores.
14
A Cry in the Night
"See, there is Moschpekat," cried Running
Fox. ' ' It looks pretty. Come, we will go over
there, and see what we can find."
They moved cautiously down the ridge,
watching and listening for the first signs of
game. It was a glorious day. The air was soft
and balmy, the sky was cloudless, and a smoky
blue haze hung over the hills. It seemed al-
most as if Tauwinipen, the month-of-growing-
things, had returned.
"See, Getanittowit is smoking his Great
Peace Pipe/' said Running Fox, referring to
the haze. "He is puffing the smoke over us."
"It is a good sign," Spotted Deer declared,
hopefully.
The warm autumn sunshine quickly melted
the frost on the fallen leaves, and the hunters
were able to move through the woods as noise-
lessly as Woakus, the fox. They had almost
reached the base of the ridge when they were
halted by the noisy commotion of a flock of
jays.
"Hi, those birds are making a great noise, "
said Spotted Deer. "Come, we will go over
there, and see what they are talking about."
"We must be cautious," Running Fox
warned him. "Perhaps some one is over
there. ' >
The Delawares looked upon crows and jays
as the talebearers of the wilderness. They
15
The White Wolf
knew from experience that whenever a com-
pany of those birds set up a great racket it
was because they had discovered something un-
usual in their haunts. It might be only a hawk
or a fox, or it might be a company of warriors.
Whenever the birds became unusually noisy,
therefore, the Delawares scouted cautiously
about the vicinity to learn the cause of their
distress.
Kunning Fox and his companion decided to
separate, and approach the spot from opposite
directions. Aware that both Shawnees and Mo-
hawks often ventured upon their hunting
grounds, the lads advanced through the woods
with the utmost care. Their desire was to learn
the cause of the disturbance without themselves
being discovered by the jays. They knew that
if the birds saw them they would instantly make
them the sole object of alarm, and proclaim
their advance to whatever might be lurking in
the vicinity.
Spotted Deer was crawling stealthily through
a dense tangle of wild grape vines when he sud-
denly heard Eunning Fox calling directly ahead
of him.
"Hi, my brother, I have found something/'
said Eunning Fox.
Freeing himself from the tangle, Spotted
Deer hurried to join him. Eunning Fox was
looking up into the branches of a tall pine.
16
A Cry in the Night
Following his gaze, Spotted Deer soon discov-
ered a large barred owl sitting motionless on,
a limb. The crows and jays were flying excit-
edly about the tree-top, and raising a great
disturbance.
"Gokhos has caused all this noise,' 7 laughed
Eunning Fox. "He stopped in that tree to
sleep. Then his enemies came along and found
him. Now they are trying to frighten him
away. ' '
"He is mad," said Spotted Deer.
Several jays had alighted upon the limb on
which the owl sat, and the latter immediately
raised its feathers and snapped angrily. Its
tormentors were not easily frightened, how-
ever, and in a few moments several of them
dashed recklessly past the owl's head. Then a
crow swept down through the branches, and al-
most knocked the astonished owl from the limb.
The young Delawares laughed with boyish glee,
and at sound of their voices Gokhos took wing
and flapped silently away with his foes in noisy
pursuit. They soon drove him into another
tree, and the commotion began anew.
"Well, we have found out about this thing
now we will go away from here, ' ' said Eunning
Fox.
Having learned the reason for the disturb-
ance, the Delawares had no inclination to linger
in the vicinity. They knew that the same curi-
17
The White Wolf
osity which had led them to investigate might
bring some prowling foe on the same errand.
They left Gokhos to his fate, therefore, and set
out for the lake which they had seen from the
top of the ridge.
The day was drawing to a close when the
young hunters finally drew near Moschpekat.
They approached it with great caution, for they
knew that foes as well as game might be found
lurking in the dense forest which fringed its
shores. They were almost at the edge of the
water when they were startled by a wild, ring-
ing laugh. It echoed weirdly across the water,
and seemed to come from the opposite side of
the lake. The Delaware s quickly recognized it
as the cry of the loon.
"It is Quiquingus, the Laugher, " said Eun-
ning Fox.
They saw no reason to doubt that the call was
genuine, still they determined to take no
chances. Seating themselves in the bushes a
short distance from the water, they searched the
lake for the loon. It was some moments before
they located it.
"Hi, I see him," Spotted Deer said, softly.
"He is over there near that big white tree/
"Yes, I see him," Eunning Fox replied, a
moment afterward. "Well, now we know that
it is Quiquingus."
However, the crafty young hunters had no
18
A Cry in the Night
intention of risking themselves in the open until
they had thoroughly reconnoitered the lake. As
its name proclaimed, it was a splendid body of
clear transparent water bounded on three sides
by low wooded hills, and on the other side by
a great sphagnum bog. It was a natural ren-
dezvous for deer, elk and moose, and in the
spring and autumn its waters were often cov-
ered with great flocks of wild fowl. In fact, the
young Delawares had expected to find one or
more flocks of ducks within easy bow-shot from
the shore, and they were considerably surprised
to learn that Quiquingus, the Laugher, was in
sole possession of beautiful Moschpekat.
As they saw nothing to arouse their sus-
picions, the lads determined to move slowly
along the easterly shore of the lake until they
came to their favorite camp-site, a little fern-
fringed spring in a dense stand of hemlocks.
They had not gone far, however, when they
were halted by the excited scolding of Wisa^
wanik, the squirrel. After they had listened a
moment or so they heard another replying to
the challenge of the first.
"Now we will have something to eat,"
laughed Eunning Fox.
They immediately set out to find the squir-
rels. It was not long before they located them
in two large chestnut trees about a bow-shot
apart. As the hunters drew near, however, the
19
The White Wolf
wary little creatures immediately grew silent,
and attempted to hide themselves. The Dela-
wares sat down near the base of the trees, and
waited patiently. In a few moments the sharp
twang of a bow-string, followed by a dull thump
on the leaves, told Spotted Deer that Running
Fox had killed his game. Then he, too, saw his
squirrel. It was peeping over the side of a
large limb, with only its head exposed. It of-
fered a small and difficult target, and Spotted
Deer determined to wait. In a few moments the
squirrel started boldly down the trunk of the
tree, and when it was near the ground Spotted
Deer pinned it to the tree with his arrow.
Having made sure of their evening meal, the
lads lost little time in reaching their camp-site.
The sun had already set behind the western
ridges, and lake and sky were a glorious com-
bination of gold and purple. The young Dela-
wares looked about them in silent admiration.
' ' Getanittowit has made everything pretty/
Eunning Fox said, reverently.
"It is true/' replied Spotted Deer.
Then, as the color slowly faded from sky and
water, and the mystic twilight shadows crept
stealthily out of the east, the lads gathered some
dry wood and made a small fire. They watched
anxiously as the first light pall of blue smoke
rose above the trees. It soon faded out, how-
ever, and they had little fear of its being seen
20
A Cry in the Night
Then they skinned and cleaned the squirrels,
and broiled them on sharpened sticks before the
fire.
When they had finished their simple meal,
the Delawares allowed the fire to die out. Then
they walked to the edge of the water, and seated
themselves on a prostrate pine. Night had
fallen upon the forest, and the sky was spangled
with a multitude of stars. The air was sharp
and still, and Topan, the Frost Spirit, plied his
magic wand. Not a sound disturbed the still-
ness. The great wilderness was hushed in slum-
ber. The lads were silent. Each had his eyes
fixed hopefully on the eastern sky. They were
watching anxiously for the great Mauwallauwin
to show himself. When he finally peeped above
the tree-tops, they sprang to their feet, and
extended their hands in greeting.
' ' Great Mauwallauwin, take pity on us. O
Great Hunter, help us/' they sang, softly.
They had been greatly troubled by the
strange behavior of Mauwallauwin on the pre-
vious night, and although the appointed time
for the ceremonial greeting of the Great Hunter
had passed they still hoped to win his favor.
They had been strongly impressed by the scar-
city of game signs, and they feared that unless
Mauwallauwin relented and came to their as-
sistance the hunt would be a failure. They
watched eagerly, therefore, while the moon rose
21
The White Wolf
slowly into the cloudless sky. As it mounted
higher and higher in its course, and tinted the
night with its soft, silvery radiance, the Dela-
wares took hope.
"See, Mauwallauwin has come back to help
ns," Spotted Deer said, hopefully.
"It is good," declared Kunning Fox.
However, when the night was half gone they
were awakened by a cold wind which swept
down from the north. The moon had disap-
peared. The sky was black and threatening.
The lads turned to each other in dismay.
"Mauwallauwin has gone," said Spotted
Deer.
"It is a bad sign," Kunning Fox replied,
uneasily. "I do not know what to make of it.
I believe something bad will happen to us."
Then, as they sat there listening to the moan-
ing of Lowanachen, the north wind, they heard
a strange quavering cry somewhere in the
north. It rose into a long, melancholy wail,
and then suddenly died away. Spotted Deer
started nervously, and grasped Running Fox
by the arm.
"Allapi, Allapi, listen, listen," he whispered,
excitedly.
"What is it?" Eunning Fox inquired, anx-
iously.
"It is the noise I heard when I was on the
22
A Cry in the Night
ridge watching for Mauwallauwin, " Spotted
Deer told him.
"Allapi," cautioned Eunning Fox, as the
mysterious cry began again.
As it again sounded ominously through the
night the Delaware s tried to identify it. It
sounded somewhat like the cry of Timmeu, the
big gray timber wolf, and yet there was a
strange fierceness about it that made it differ-
ent. It gradually swelled in volume until it
became a wild, piercing shriek, and then it
suddenly ceased. It was the weirdest, most
peculiar cry they had ever heard, and they were
completely mystified.
"How do you feel about it?" inquired
Spotted Deer.
"I do not know what it is," Eunning Fox
acknowledged. "Perhaps it is fierce Lowa-
nachen. Perhaps it is something different. I
believe it is something mysterious."
They listened a long time, but the strange
cry was not repeated. However, it had filled
them with all sorts of vague, superstitious
fears, and they lost all further desire to sleep.
They spent the balance of the night talking
about the mysterious summons which had come
out of the north.
CHAPTER in
A BATTLE OF GIANTS
IT was still dark when they left their camp-
site, and set out for the swamp at the other
end of the lake. They reached it as the first
gray hint of dawn showed in the east. The
swamp was wrapped in a heavy white mist that
rose from the water, and the lads were unable
to see a bow-shot ahead of them. They con-
cealed themselves at the edge of the timber,
therefore, and waited impatiently for the fog
to rise. It was not long before their ears told
them of the things which Awonn, the fog,
concealed. They heard the loud honking of
Kaak, the wild goose. A sudden splash told
them that Sukamek, the bass, was feeding. A
stealthy pattering of swift, cautious feet led
them to believe that Woakus, the fox, was hur-
rying to his den at the approach of day. Then
the fog slowly lifted, and they saw the calm,
gray waters of Moschpekat. A flock of ducks
rose on whistling wings, and sped away toward
the south. A few moments afterward three
geese towered into the air. Eunning Fox imi-
tated their call, and they swerved and flew
24
A Battle of Giants
directly over the marsh. The Delawares aimed
their arrows, but the birds were considerably
beyond bow-shot, and they made no attempt to
stop them.
Then a loud, ringing challenge sounded over
the marsh. It seemed to come from a low hard-
wood ridge a short distance away. The lads
recognized it as the call of a bull moose, and
their hearts filled with hope. They waited in
great suspense to hear it again. Long, trying
moments passed. The stillness remained un-
broken. The Delawares became uneasy. They
feared that the moose had gone away.
1 ' Wait, perhaps I can fool him," said Eun-
ning Fox.
He turned into the woods, and soon found a
good-sized white birch from which he peeled
a slab of bark. He rolled it into the form of
a funnel, and tied it with several strands of
twisted marsh grass. Then he returned to the
edge of the marsh, and raising the bark horn
to his lips sent forth a skillful imitation of the
moose call. The lads listened anxiously as it
echoed through the forest.
4 'If he hears that perhaps he will turn
around, " said Running Fox.
He had barely finished speaking when an an-
swer came from directly behind them. They
looked at each other in astonishment. It seemed
impossible that the bull could have traveled that
25
The White Wolf
distance since they first heard him. In fact,
there was something about the call which made
them doubt that it came from the same animal.
Running Fox waited a moment or so after the
call had died away, and then he again sent his
defiant challenge ringing through the woods.
"Now we will find out about this thing, " he
said, as he lowered the bark horn.
In a short time a reply came from the direc-
tion of the low hardwood ridge where they had
first located the moose.
"Mos travels fast, 7 ' laughed Spotted Deer.
"Nischa, two," replied Running Fox.
As he spoke the second call again sounded
behind them. Then they knew that two bulls
were replying to their challenge. The discov-
ery filled them with delight. Their gloomy fore-
bodings instantly fled before the possibility of
such splendid success in the first few hours of
the hunt. Still, they feared to become too hope-
ful, for they knew only too well the vast differ-
ence between hearing game, and killing it.
"We must not feel too good about this
thing," Running Fox warned.
"No, we cannot tell what will come of it,"
agreed Spotted Deer. "Mos is sly."
In the meantime another challenge sounded
from the vicinity of the ridge, and the Dela-
ware s thought it was nearer. They waited
anxiously for the other moose to reply. It
26
A Battle of Giants
failed to answer, however, and they were some-
what puzzled as to just what to do.
"Come, you must bring him here," whis-
pered Spotted Deer.
Kunning Fox raised the bark to his lips, and
substituted the softer call of the cow moose for
the defiant challenge of the bull. Almost at
once both bulls replied. They were approach-
ing the marsh. The elated young hunters
chuckled gleefully.
"Mauwallauwin is helping us," whispered
Spotted Deer.
"Sh," cautioned Eunning Fox.
At that moment they heard one of the moose
at the edge of the timber. It was the one from
the ridge. The excited lads peered anxiously
through the bushes as they heard the bull
stamping and grunting, and shaking the sap-
lings with its horns.
"Mos is mad," breathed Spotted Deer.
Eunning Fox nodded.
There was no wind to betray fhem, and there
seemed little chance of being discovered. Still
they were somewhat uneasy about the second
moose. They knew that it was somewhere be-
hind them, and they feared that it might come
directly upon them in advancing to meet its
rival. Their anxiety was soon ended, however,
when they heard it grunting and breaking the
27
The White Wolf
brush several arrow-flights from their hiding
place.
Then the first moose appeared at the edge of
the timber. It was an enormous beast with a
tremendous spread of antlers, and they looked
upon it with astonishment. It was some dis-
tance beyond bow-shot, however, and the lads
breathed a silent prayer to Getanittowit to
drive it within range. It appeared to be look-
ing directly toward them, and they were afraid
to move. Then the bull lowered its great head,
and sniffed suspiciously at the edge of the bog.
The next moment it heard or scented its rival,
and it raised its head and stared defiantly
across the marsh.
A short, savage grunt announced the arrival
of the second bull. Cautiously turning their
heads, the lads saw it leaving the timber. It
was a big animal, but not as huge as the other.
This moose was also beyond effective arrow-
range, and the young hunters were filled with
despair.
' ' Call them," whispered Spotted Deer.
"No, no, they are too near," replied Running
Fox.
In the meantime the moose were preparing
for battle. Having actually sighted each other
they seemed eager to fight. They looked ugly
and dangerous as they faced one another with
flashing eyes, and bristling manes. They spent
28
A Battle of Giants
some time shaking their heads and stamping
angrily. Then the larger bull moved slowly
out upon the marsh. He advanced threaten-
ingly with neck extended, ears flattened and
teeth exposed.
"Get ready/' whispered Spotted Deer.
The warning was unnecessary as the bull
stopped out of bow-shot. Then the other bull
went forward to meet its rival. It passed barely
within arrow-range, but the Delawares with-
held their arrows. They knew the tremendous
vitality of the great beast, and they believed it
would be folly to attempt to kill it unless it
came nearer. They watched with fascinated
eyes, therefore, while the two giant bulls pre-
pared to fight.
They met in a terrific head-to-head crash
of antlers that almost threw them from their
feet. Then, quickly recovering, they pushed
and butted each other with a savage ferocity
that left little doubt as to the fate that awaited
the vanquished. The battle grew fiercer each
moment, and it was not long before their loud
breathing and heaving flanks told the force that
they were expending in the struggle. Neither
of them, however, showed any signs of yielding.
Time after time they drew apart and then
crashed together again, and began the jostling
with unabated fury. Each time they met head
against head, and neither seemed able to find
29
The White Wolf
an opening for the vital thrust that might
clinch the victory. More than once they were
knocked to their knees by the force of the im-
pact, but they invariably struggled to their feet
in time to save themselves.
Each moment the eager young hunters hoped
that the infuriated bulls would come within
effective bow-range. Several times they actu-
ally did draw nearer the spot where the excited
Delawares crouched behind the bushes, but just
as they were about to aim their arrows the
moose struggled out of range. The lads were
frantic. It seemed as if Mauwallauwin waa
tantalizing them by withholding his prizes just
beyond their reach.
At that moment, however, the big bull found
an opening, and drove his antlers against the
flank of his rival. The latter gave way before
the shock, and both animals approached con-
siderably nearer the hunters. Once more the
Delawares fitted arrows to their bows, and
waited in breathless suspense.
In the meantime the battle was continued
with nndiminished fury. Having been forced
to yield ground, the smaller bull fought fiercely
to hold off its foe. A great gash had been
opened in its shoulder, and its heaving sides
and loud breathing foretold an early collapse.
Still it showed no inclination to run away. The
larger bull, too, showed the effects of his tre-
30
A Battle of Giants
mendous exertions. Although he appeared to
be uninjured, the repeated charges of his
courageous adversary were slowly sapping his
strength. Then the great bull again found an
opening, and forced his foe to give further
ground, and the hunters got their chance. The
sudden turn in the fight brought the moose well
within bow-shot, and the Delawares released
their arrows. Eunning Fox aimed at the larger
animal, and his arrow struck close behind the
shoulder. Spotted Deer hit the other bull, but
the arrow glanced off and fell to the ground.
An instant later the moose were racing
across the marsh in opposite directions. The
Delawares rushed from concealment and shot
two more arrows. They missed, however, and
the bulls disappeared into the timber.
When all sounds of the retreating moose had
ceased Spotted Deer threw his bow upon the
ground in a rage. Eunning Fox stared angrily
at the woods. It was some moments before
either of them spoke. Then Spotted Deer
picked up his bow and carefully examined it.
He drew an arrow from the buckskin case, and
turned it slowly about in his hands. Pointing
to a distant pine, he shot the arrow into the
center of the trunk. He shook his head and
turned to Eunning Fox who had been closely
watching him.
"Hattape, the bow, is strong; Mallsammk,
31
The White Wolf
the arrow, flies straight; my eyes are sharp.
None of them went against me. No, my brother,
it must be something different/' declared
Spotted Deer.
"What you say is true," replied Kunning
Fox. "I see your arrow sticking in that tree.
I see your other arrow lying on the ground.
Mos, the great deer, is not as hard as Pinda-
lanak, the pine. The arrow sticks in Pinda-
lanak, but it falls out of Mos. It is mysterious.
I believe that Mauwallauwin had something to
do with it."
"It is bad," said Spotted Deer.
Running Fox had little hope that his own
arrow had taken effect upon the big bull. The
moose had galloped away, apparently unin-
jured, and Eunning Fox feared that his aim had
been poor. Still he determined to make sure.
"Come, we will go over there and look
around," he proposed.
They hastened to the spot where the moose
had fought, and carefully examined the ground.
They saw nothing but evidences of the battle.
Then they set out on the trail of the big bull.
They followed it far into the timber, but saw
nothing to indicate that the moose had been
badly wounded. Then Running Fox suddenly
stooped, and picked his arrow from the ground.
He examined it critically, and passed it to
Spotted Deer.
32
A Battle of Giants
"See, it is dry there is no blood on it," lie
said.
"It is mysterious," replied Spotted Deer.
They believed that it would be folly to at-
tempt to overtake the moose, and they deter-
mined to return to the edge of the swamp.
Running Fox continued to call until the day
was well advanced, but his challenge went un-
answered. They waited patiently, however,
hoping that other game might come to the
marsh to feed or drink. Several times they
heard something moving cautiously through the
woods, but the sounds invariably ceased or
moved off in some other direction. Several
flocks of ducks alighted on the lake, and Run-
ning Fox tried to call them within bow-range,
but they either remained far out on the water
or swam leisurely toward the opposite shore.
It really seemed to the superstitious young
Delawares as if some evil spirit was working
against them.
"This place is bad," said Running Fox.
"We must go away."
"Yes, I believe it would be foolish to stay
here," agreed Spotted Deer.
They hunted faithfully until the end of the
day, but without success. They saw plenty of
tracks and signs, but all were many days old.
At sunset they stopped for the night beside a
small stream in a great forest of hardwoods.
33
The White Wolf
Their evening meal consisted of an emergency
ration of parched corn and some chestnuts
which they had found in the forest. However,
they accepted the simple fare without com-
plaint, for they had been taught from earliest
childhood that it was the part of a coward to
shrink from privation and hardship.
"We are like Wisawanik, the squirrel/'
laughed Spotted Deer, as he munched a handful
of chestnuts.
"Our great brother, Machque, the bear, eats
such food when he cannot find game," Eunning
Fox reminded him. "We have something to
eat. It is enough.'
For a long time they sat silently beside their
fire. Their hearts were filled with a great
superstitious fear, and they were gloomy and
depressed. They were firmly convinced that
Mauwallauwin had turned against them, and
that for some reason Getanittowit, the Great
One, refused to come to their assistance.
Then, as they finally lay down to sleep, they
again heard the weird, mysterious cry in the
north. As it echoed dismally between the hills,
the Delawares were seized with a gloomy pre-
monition of impending disaster. They had
little doubt that this strange call, which they
were unable to identify, came from some evil
spirit who intended harm to their people.
34
A Battle of Giants
1 1 It is mysterious, " Spotted Deer said, as the
cry finally ceased.
"I believe that something bad is going to hap-
pen to us," declared Running Fox.
" Running Fox, are you afraid of this strange
thing?" Spotted Deer inquired, anxiously.
"No, I am not afraid," Running Fox replied,
quickly. "I am thinking about our people. I
believe something bad will happen to them."
CHAPTEE IV
THE LYNX DEN
THE following day the lads determined to
separate so that they might explore a greater
expanse of country in their search for game.
Eunning Fox turned toward the west, while
Spotted Deer traveled toward the east. They
agreed to hunt in a circular course, and selected
a prominent rendezvous where they hoped to
meet before sunset.
"Be watchful, perhaps the Mohawks are
about, " Eunning Fox cautioned, as they parted.
"My eyes are sharp/' Spotted Deer assured
him.
Eunning Fox crossed a low barren ridge, and
soon reached the borders of a great spruce
swamp. It was a famous place for game, and
he approached it with fresh hopes. His peo-
ple called it Sukelechen, "the black place," and
they believed that it was the home of many
strange and mysterious creatures. However,
as Eunning Fox had already explored its dim,
gloomy solitudes without encountering any-
thing but the wary animals of the wilderness,
he gave little thought to the weird tales he had
heard about Sukelechen.
36
The Lynx Den
He found a familiar game trail which passed
directly through the center of the swamp, and
as he saw a fresh buck track he resolved to
follow it. A careful study of the footprints
convinced him that the buck was a big one, and
but a short distance ahead of him. Its tracks
showed that it was walking leisurely, and as
the wind favored him Eunning Fox hoped for
success. He followed swiftly on the trail, keep-
ing a sharp watch ahead, for he knew from ex-
perience that a wise old buck traveling against
the wind would often stop and look back to see
if it was being followed. However, when he
finally reached the middle of the swamp with-
out hearing or seeing anything of the deer he
began to feel less confident of overtaking it.
He feared that it was farther ahead of him than
he had supposed. He stooped and examined the
tracks with his fingers. They seemed to have
just been made. Some of them were wet with
the moisture which the feet of the deer had
squeezed from the moss. The trail still showed
that the buck was moving at a walk.
Eunning Fox was puzzled. He felt sure that
he had traveled considerably faster than the
deer, and yet he appeared to be no closer than
when he first struck its trail. Still, the tracks
indicated that it was but a trifling distance
ahead of him.
37
The White Wolf
"It is mysterious," Running Fox told him-
self.
However, he had no thought of abandoning
the trail. Having crossed half of Sukelechen he
felt quite sure that he would overtake the deer
before he went much farther. He knew that
the game trail ended in a large grassy swale
at the border of the swamp, and if he missed
the buck he hoped to find other game at that
spot.
Running Fox hurried on, therefore, expecting
each moment to come in sight of his game. He
had reached the darkest and gloomiest part of
Sukelechen. A dense stand of towering spruces
hid the sky and shut out the sunlight. Per-
petual twilight reigned beneath them. The
great swamp was dark, and still, and lifeless.
Black, ominous pools stood beside the trail, and
the grass and ferns about their borders was
brown and dead. The air was damp and cold,
and tainted with the rank odor of decaying
vegetation. A dead pine stood forth white and
ghastly in the gloom, like a giant skeleton with
arms spread in mute appeal. Long streamers
of dry black moss hung from the limbs of the
trees, and for a moment Eunning Fox won-
dered if they might not be the scalps of unfor-
tunate persons who had ventured into that
dreary abode of the Evil People.
The young Delaware suddenly felt the grip-
38
The Lynx Den
ping, mysterious spell of "the black place."
It oppressed and stifled him. He looked anx-
iously about, expecting to see some of the
strange creatures of which he had heard. The
gloom, the quiet, and the lifelessness of the
place awakened his superstitions. Imagination
seized his mind. Each shadow became a lurk-
ing phantom, the slightest sound a stealthy
footfall. The weird tales which his people told
about Sukelechen suddenly became real. He
began to feel that this dismal place really was
inhabited by the evil monsters of whom he had
heard. A wild superstitious fear entered his
heart. He believed that the fierce inhabitants
of "the black place' were about to cast some
evil spell upon him. All sorts of alarming
possibilities suggested themselves to his mind.
He told himself that some evil monster might
suddenly destroy his sight, or take away the
power of his limbs or arms, or change him into
a snake like ugly Sukachgook, the black racer,
or even strike him dead in his tracks. He
almost ran along the trail in his eagerness to
escape from the swamp before one of those ter-
rible fates overtook him.
Then Eunning Fox suddenly realized that he
was afraid. It was the first time in his life.
The realization was like a blow in his face. It
brought him to a stand, and roused his fight-
39
The White Wolf
ing blood. He raised Ms bow, and shook it
defiantly at the somber black forest.
4 ' Am I a woman f " he cried, scornfully. ' ' Am
I like Muschgingus, the rabbit, who runs from
a shadow? Have the Evil People taken away
my heart? No! No! They cannot frighten
me. Listen, you Evil People. I have set out
to do something. Now I am going ahead with
it. Perhaps something bad will happen to me,
but I am not afraid. See, I am going ahead.
I have spoken. "
Having made his boast, Eunning Fox con-
tinued boldly on the trail. He had taken only
a few strides when he was startled by a great
roar from the side of the trail. The next in-
stant he laughed at his fears, as a grouse thun-
dered away into the shadows.
"Hi, Popokus, you frightened me. I thought
you were one of those Evil People," he cried.
Although he traveled at his best pace he
failed to overtake the buck before it reached
the border of the swamp. As he finally came
in sight of the grassy swale which marked the
western boundary of Sukelechen, he advanced
with more caution. He hoped that the deer
might have lingered at that spot to feed, and
he made a careful reconnoissance from the tim-
ber before exposing himself to view. He saw
a suspicious movement in a dense tangle of
willows, which instantly aroused his interest.
40
The Lynx Den
" There is something hiding in there," he told
himself.
Fitting an arrow to his bow, he stepped be-
hind a tree to watch. With the exception of a
few isolated clumps of low willows the swale
was bare of cover, and as it was wet and
marshy Running Fox scarcely believed that it
was a spot which would tempt an enemy to
choose it for a hiding place. He felt quite cer-
tain, therefore, that game of some sort lay con-
cealed in the dense brush. Still he determined
to take nothing for granted.
For a long time there was no further commo-
tion in the bushes. Running Fox began to won-
der if his eyes had fooled him. He refused to
believe it. He was sure that he had seen a
branch tremble as though something had moved
against it.
"I will wait and see what comes of it," Run-
ning Fox declared.
Then he again saw some of the willows
tremble significantly. This time he had no
doubt about it. He felt sure that something was
hiding in the brush.
4 'Yes, there is something over there," Run-
ning Fox assured himself. "I do not believe it
is Ajapeu, the buck. Perhaps it is Machque,
the bear. Perhaps it is one of the Evil People.
Well, I am not afraid. I will stay here and
watch until I find out about it. ' f
41
The White Wolf
The stand of willows was close beside the
game trail, and Banning Fox realized that un-
less the buck was in the cover, which he doubted,
whatever was there must have concealed itself
after the deer had passed. Then he realized
that he was not certain that the buck had
passed. Kunning Fox had turned from the trail
within easy bow-shot from the edge of the
swale, and he was not sure but that the buck,
too, might have scented danger, and turned to
avoid it. While he was thinking about it, there
was another suspicious movement in the wil-
lows. A moment afterward Running Fox saw
something rising to its feet. Then as he
strained his eyes to identify it, a great lynx
walked slowly from the cover.
"It is Nianque," murmured Eunning Fox.
He realized that the big cat had been lying
beside the trail in the hope of surprising some
passing deer. Having moved from its hiding
place, it seemed in no hurry to depart. It
stood for a moment or so looking intently along
the game trail. Then it stretched its lithe,
powerful body, and indulged in a yawn that
brought a smile to the face of the interested
young Delaware. The lynx was already within
arrow-range, and Running Fox had no thought
of allowing it to escape. It was one of the
savage woods prowlers which caused sad havoc
with the supply of game, and his people killed
42
The Lynx Den
it whenever the opportunity offered. Besides, a
good lynx pelt was highly prized as an article
of ornament, and as this specimen was un-
usually large Running Fox was eager to secure
it as a trophy. However, he withheld his arrow
hoping that the lynx might come still nearer.
There was little wind, and, as it was in his
favor, the young hunter had little fear of losing
his prize. He continued to watch the lynx while
it performed the familiar maneuvers of one
awaking from heavy slumber. Running Fox be-
lieved that it had crept into the willows to
watch for game and had dozed off under the
influence of the warm autumn sunshine.
Having finally roused itself, however, the
lynx showed little inclination to loiter. After
it had sniffed daintily and catlike at the trail,
it glanced nervously about the vicinity of its
hiding place, and then turned to go. Realizing
that it was not coming nearer, Running Fox
released his arrow. He saw it strike, and heard
a savage snarl from the lynx, which immedi-
ately bounded across the swale and disappeared
into the timber. The lad looked after it in
astonishment. Like the moose, it had appar-
ently gone away unharmed. The discouraged
young Delaware feared that Mauwallauwin had
again brought failure upon his efforts.
"Well, I will go on, and find out about it,"
he said, grimly.
43
The White Wolf
The lynx had left an easy blood trail, and
Kunning Fox felt somewhat more hopeful. He
believed that it had been badly wounded, and
would soon succumb to its injuries. However,
when he had gone several arrow-flights without
coming upon it, he wondered if his experience
with the moose was about to be repeated. Still
the trail showed unmistakable signs that the
big cat had been desperately wounded, and as
he saw nothing of his arrow Kunning Fox con-
tinued to hope. He had determined to follow
the lynx until he brought it to bay or drove it
to cover. That seemed to be the only way in
which he might overcome the spell of ill-fortune
which had fallen upon him.
The trail led up a steep, brushy hillside,
and as the cover was dense and difficult
Kunning Fox proceeded with considerable
caution. He knew that Nianque, like his big
brother Quenischquney, the panther, was a bold
and desperate fighter when wounded and
brought to bay. Kunning Fox had seen more
than one warrior proudly exhibit the scars
which he had received in a desperate fight with
a wounded lynx, and the young warrior himself
had killed several of those great cats which
had fought until their last gasp. He deter-
mined to be on his guard, therefore, as he be-
lieved that at any moment the lynx might
spring from ambush and attack him.
44
The Lynx Den
"Nianque is strong, but his life is pouring
out he cannot go far," Kunning Fox assured
himself.
Then he noted that the trail led toward a long
rocky ledge near the summit of the ridge, and
the truth quickly flashed into his mind. It was
evident that the lynx was endeavoring to reach
some favorite hiding place, or den, in the rocks
where he might die safe from the hands of
his pursuer. The thought caused Eunning Fox
to abandon his caution, and hurry recklessly
along the trail in the hope of overtaking the
lynx before it reached the ledge. Once secure
in its rocky lair, he knew that it would be diffi-
cult if not impossible to secure it. In spite of
his exertions, however, the lynx reached its
refuge before he came within bow-range.
There was little delay in locating the hiding
place, as the trail led directly to the entrance.
It was a round, tunnel-like hole which seemed
to extend directly into the ledge. Eunning Fox
stooped to examine it, and at once detected
a strong body odor which led him to believe
that the lynx had lived in the den for some time*
Besides the fresh blood spots at the entrance,
he saw a number of large paw-prints, and found
several strands of long gray hair.
"Yes, Nianque lives in that place," Eunning
Fox told himself. "He has been here a long
time. Perhaps his people live here,"
45
The White Wolf
The Delaware sat before the entrance to the
den for some time. He felt convinced that the
lynx would never come out. To secure his
trophy, therefore, he believed that it would be
necessary to enter the den. He saw that it
would be possible to crawl some distance into
the opening, and he wondered how far into the
ledge the dark, narrow passageway extended.
There seemed only one way to find out, and he
determined to explore it.
Holding his bow in one hand, and several
arrows in the other, Kunning Fox wriggled for-
ward into the mouth of the den. He found him-
self in a low narrow tunnel which seemed to
extend straight into the ledge. However, after
he had gone several times the length of his
body, the walls of rock came closer together,
and the light grew so dim that he could scarcely
see a bow-length ahead of him. Then Running
Fox stopped to listen. Not a murmur disturbed
the stillness. He felt sure that the lynx was
dead. He crawled forward several bow-lengths,
and found himself in total darkness. He
noticed, too, that the passageway had narrowed
considerably, and he found himself in cramped
quarters. He attempted to bring his bow into
position, and found it impossible.
1 ' That is bad," Eunning Fox told himself.
"I must be cautious."
He realized that it would be foolhardy to ven-
46
The Lynx Den
ture farther along the tunnel with no means
of defense. Besides, he was unable to see where
he was going, and several alarming possibili-
ties suggested themselves to his mind. The
passageway might end on the brink of some
deadly precipice, or there might be a deep pool
hidden away in the darkness, or a loose bowl-
der might crash upon him. Eunning Fox was
far too familiar with the perils of the wilder-
ness to risk himself without taking the neces-
sary precautions. He determined, therefore, to
back from the tunnel, and provide himself with
a torch.
However, when Eunning Fox attempted to
wriggle backward he found himself wedged
tightly between the rocky walls. For a mo-
ment he felt that he was fast in the powerful
grip of one of the strange Underground People,
who, the Delawares believed, inhabited those
mysterious black caverns. The thought tried
his courage. He believed that Nianque had led
him into a trap, and he expected to be destroyed
by some fierce monster whose stronghold he
had invaded.
Then, as the moments passed and his life was
spared, the truth suddenly flashed into his mind.
He knew that he had dislodged a fragment of
rock which had fallen into the tunnel beside
him, and wedged him fast. He attempted to
reach back and locate the obstruction, but was
47
The White Wolf
unable to move his arms in the narrow passage-
way. Then he pushed, and wriggled, and
struggled desperately to shove himself past the
barrier, but only succeeded in wedging himself
tighter than before.
"Well, there is only one thing to do," Run-
ning Fox told himself. "I will go ahead a little
ways, and then I will try to back up and push
this thing behind me."
He found it almost equally difficult to crawl
forward, but after a desperate struggle he
finally succeeded in freeing himself. Then, as
he started forward, he heard a crash behind
him, and he realized that the loosened rock had
dropped into the tunnel. His heart sank at the
thought. He believed that the way out had been
closed, and he was trapped in the grim black
passageway.
Once more Running Fox wriggled slowly
backward until his feet struck the obstruction
which blocked his way. He pushed desperately,
and as it yielded slightly his heart filled with
hope. His joy was short-lived, however, for the
next effort found the rock wedged fast in the
passageway. Then Running Fox attempted to
wriggle over the top of it, but soon found the
lower portion of his body wedged between the
rock and the low roof of the tunnel. He was
compelled to struggle fiercely to free himself.
48
The Lynx Den
"It is bad," he panted. "I am caught in a
trap, like Timmeu, the wolf."
His exertions had sapped his strength, and
he felt weak and helpless. The air in the tnn-
nel suddenly grew hot and stifling, and he found
himself panting for breath. For a long time
he made no attempt to move.
Then a sound came from the darkness directly
ahead of him. He raised his head, and listened.
For some moments he heard nothing but the
rapid beating of his heart. Then the challenge
again sounded from the darkness. It was a low
rambling growl, and Kunning Fox knew that it
came from fierce Nianque. He lay still, and
peered anxiously before him. He knew that he
was in a perilous predicament. If the lynx had
been only slightly wounded he had little doubt
that it would attack him, and there seemed little
chance to defend himself. Unable to use his
bow, he would be compelled to use his knife at
close quarters. He attempted to draw it from
the buckskin sheath at his belt, and succeeded
only after many painful efforts.
In the meantime the savage growling con-
tinued. Once, Eunning Fox thought he saw
the momentary flash of Nianque 's eyes. He
strained his ears to catch the sound of stealthy
footfalls. Then, as the growling ceased, he
again attempted to bring his bow into shooting
position. The effort was useless, however, and
49
The White Wolf
he realized that he must depend upon his knife.
The thought was not reassuring. It meant that
he could do nothing to protect himself until the
lynx came within striking distance, and he knew
that at such close range the odds would be
greatly against him.
However, as time passed, and the lynx failed
to attack him, Running Fox turned his thoughts
upon escaping from the den. He wriggled
backward, and strove desperately to dislodge
the rock with his feet, but without success.
Then realizing that he was exhausting himself,
be abandoned his exertions.
For a long time Running Fox lay motionless,
endeavoring to think of a way out of his pre-
dicament. There seemed to be slight chance of
escape. For a moment the thought staggered
him. He began to picture the horrors of a slow
death from starvation and thirst locked up in
the black depths of the hillside. The alarming
possibility roused him to new efforts, and he
struggled with the frenzy of despair. The re-
sult, however, was a failure. He wedged his
body so tightly in the passageway that it re-
quired still greater exertions to free himself.
The effort left him completely exhausted. His
heart beat wildly against his ribs, his breath
came in short, painful gasps, and his brain
reeled. He believed that he was about to die.
"0 Getanittowit, the Great One, take pity on
50
The Lynx Den
me," Eunning Fox murmured, weakly. "See
what has happened to me. I am fast in a trap,
like Timmeu, the wolf. The fierce Underground
People have caught me. I have fought hard,
but I cannot break away. Send me a vision so
that I will know what to do. Getanittowit,
take pity on me."
Assuring himself that Getanittowit would
help him, Eunning Fox again rallied his wits
to plan a way of escape. He realized that it
would be folly to renew his attempts to wriggle
backward, and as there was no possibility of
turning in the narrow tunnel, there seemed only
one other alternative. He determined to crawl
still farther along the passageway, in the hope
of finding a wider cavern, or den, at the end of it.
"If Nianque lives in this place, he must have
a place to sleep in," Eunning Fox reasoned.
"I will keep going ahead until I find it. It is
the only thing to do."
He had gone less than two bow-lengths when
he was dismayed to find that the tunnel actually
seemed to be growing narrower. He squeezed
through, however, and was greatly relieved to
learn that the passageway again grew wider.
Then as he advanced cautiously into the dark-
ness he found the sides of the tunnel drawing
farther and farther apart. The roof, too,
seemed higher, and Eunning Fox felt consid-
erably encouraged.
51
The White Wolf
' ' It is good, ' ' he said. ' l Getanittowit is help-
ing me."
The next moment he again heard the same
savage challenge from the darkness. Running
Fox immediately stopped, and was overjoyed
to learn that he had sufficient room to use his
bow. It filled him with confidence, and he lost
all fear of the big cat crouching somewhere in
the darkness ahead of him.
"Hi, Nianque, now I am going to kill you,'
he cried, boldly, as he fixed an arrow to his bow
and held it in readiness.
The growling ceased at the sound of his voice,
and Eunning Fox listened anxiously to make
sure that the lynx was not approaching. Then
he reached back to his belt, and unfastened the
buckskin case which contained his fire-drill and
tinder. His prone position made it difficult to
manipulate the fire-sticks, but after consider-
able effort he smelled the first faint odor of
scorching wood. As it grew stronger he ceased
his exertions, and carefully lowered his face to
the little square of balsam which held the
heated dust. He blew carefully until he saw a
tiny red glow. He placed a bunch of dried grass
upon it, and puffed it into a blaze. Then he
placed several pieces of dry birch bark on the
tiny flame. It flared up splendidly, and lighted
the tunnel.
Eunning Fox saw that the passageway ended
52
The Lynx Den
in a circular den, or cave, less than a bow-length
beyond him. Pushing his little fire before him,
he crawled cautiously to the edge of the den.
An angry snarl greeted him, and he saw the
lynx crouching against the back of the cave.
Running Fox advanced recklessly into the den,
and found that he could rise to his knees.
Then, carried away by the enthusiasm of the
chase, he strung an arrow, and faced the en-
raged lynx.
"See, Nianque, I have found you," he cried,
fiercely.
For a moment he studied the savage beast
before him. It was a ferocious-looking object.
Its eyes glowed with a weird greenish light, its
broad ugly face was wrinkled with rage, and
its lips were drawn back in an ugly snarl, dis-
closing its long white fangs. Eunning Fox saw
a short piece of the arrow-shaft protruding
from the flesh behind its shoulder. Then the
lynx prepared to spring at him, and he shot
his arrow.
The next instant the lynx leaped, and threw
him upon his back. Abandoning his bow, Run-
ning Fox made good use of his sharp flint knife.
He drove it deep behind the shoulder of the
snarling lynx, and then plunged it far into its
throat. At the same time he felt the sharp
claws rip into the flesh of his arm and thigh.
Then the lynx suddenly collapsed, and Running
53
The White Wolf
Fox rose to his knees, and threw himseli upon
its back. He drove his knife into the fatal spot
behind the left shoulder, but the precaution was
unnecessary for the lynx was already dead.
"Well, Nianque, you were very fierce, but I
killed you," Running Fox cried, gleefully.
The little fire of bark had been scattered in
the struggle, and Eunning Fox found himself
in darkness. It took some time to find the
square of balsam for his fire-drill. Once he re-
covered it, however, it was the work of only a
few moments to start a new blaze. Then he
took note of his wounds. They were not seri-
ous, one long shallow scratch on his arm, and
an insignificant gash on his thigh.
Eunning Fox took time to skin the lynx, and
then he left the den and crawled slowly along
the tunnel, dragging the lynx pelt after him.
He had made a number of tiny torches by split-
ting some of the larger pieces of bark, and bind-
ing them together with twisted strands of dried
grass.
It was not long before he came to the slab of
rock which had fallen into the passageway. He
was able to examine it carefully in the light
from his torch, and after some moments of
strenuous efforts he succeeded in loosening it
and pushing it along the tunnel ahead of him.
Several times it stuck fast, and he had great
difficulty in working it loose, but as the tunnel
54
The Lynx Den
widened perceptibly toward the entrance his
progress steadily grew easier, until he finally
reached the end of the passageway, and felt the
cool, refreshing air of the forest on his face.
Night had already fallen, and Eunning Fox
was astonished to learn that he had been so long
in the cave. He was tired and weak, but his
first thought was of joining Spotted Deer at
the appointed rendezvous at the earliest pos-
sible moment. He felt sure that his friend
would be greatly troubled at his absence, and
he determined to relieve his mind without fur-
ther delay.
The first gray streak of dawn was showing
in the east when Eunning Fox eventually
reached the meeting place. He stopped and
gave the call of the little red owl. After he
had repeated it three times he listened anx-
iously for an answer. For some moments the
stillness was unbroken, and then he was sur-
prised to hear Spotted Deer close at hand.
"It is good you have come," said Spotted
Deer.
CHAPTER V
THE WOUNDED ELK
SPOTTED DEER told Banning Fox that lie had
hunted faithfully until sunset, but had failed to
find game. He said that he saw many tracks,
but all of them were several days old. Then,
as he sat waiting for his friend at the appointed
rendezvous, he had again heard the weird, mys-
terious call in the north.
"It sounded many times, and it was nearer, "
he told Eunning Fox.
"It is bad," Running Fox replied, solemnly.
"Some Evil Spirit is driving away the game."
As Eunning Fox was quite exhausted, the
lads rested until the sun was halfway across
the sky. Then they roused themselves for a
final attempt to secure game before they set
out to rejoin their companions on the following
day.
They decided to circle back toward the spot
where they expected to meet the other mem-
bers of their hunting party. They feared that
they, too, had been equally unsuccessful, and
Eunning Fox was filled with gloom at the
thought of leading his friends to the Delaware
56
The Wounded Elk
camp with nothing to show for their tireless
efforts. It was the first time he had ever re-
turned from a hunting expedition without game,
and he felt positive that it would be a similar
experience for the famous hunters who had
accompanied him.
"I feel bad about this thing," he told Spotted
Deer. "Our people will talk about it. They
will say, l Running Fox is a bad leader. He
took away many great hunters, but he brought
back no meat.' Black Panther, my father, will
feel bad about those words."
"My brother, you must not feel bad about
this thing," Spotted Deer replied, encour-
agingly. "You are a good leader. You have
tried hard to find meat for our people. It is
enough. We cannot kill what we do not find.
Perhaps some of our friends have killed some-
thing. No, I do not believe that our people
will talk against you. ' '
Running Fox continued silent. The words of
his friend failed to allay his anxiety. He knew
that if the other hunting parties returned with
a goodly supply of meat his own reputation and
the reputations of his friends would be sure to
suffer. He feared that the Delawares might
even accept his failure as proof that it was he
who had in some way earned the displeasure of
Mauwallauwin. The possibility filled him with
57
The White Wolf
dread. Then he was roused by a sudden ex-
clamation from Spotted Deer.
' ' Allapi ! Allapi ! Listen ! Listen ! ' ' Spotted
Deer cried, excitedly.
They heard the clear, piercing tones of the
elk call. It echoed in the frosty air, like the
notes of a flute, and the lads thrilled at the
sound. The elk appeared to be somewhere in
a heavily wooded ravine a short distance to the
eastward. As they listened the challenge was
repeated, and their eyes flashed with enthusi-
asm.
"That is pretty music," declared Eunning
Fox.
They immediately set out to find the elk.
They knew that it was a full-grown bull, and
they hoped that it might be the leader of a
herd. As usual, therefore, they decided to sep-
arate and reconnoiter from opposite directions.
As the ringing notes continued, the eager
young hunters hastened down the side of the
ridge, and moved cautiously toward the sound.
Eunning Fox advanced directly through the
timber, while Spotted Deer circled to approach
the elk from the opposite direction. Each
prayed earnestly to Getanittowit, the Great
One, for success. Eunning Fox especially real-
ized the necessity of killing the elk, as he be-
lieved that if he returned with even a small
amount of meat he might save his reputation as
58
The Wounded Elk
a hunter. He took every precaution, therefore,
hoping to get within easy bow-shot before the
elk discovered him.
Having finally located the bull, Eunning Fox
stopped to plan a way of approach. He mois-
tened a finger and held it above his head to
learn the direction of the wind. Then, choos-
ing the route which offered the most shelter,
he slipped through the woods as silently as a
fox. It was not long before his sharp nose
caught the scent of his game. He immediately
stopped, and held an arrow in readiness. Then
he listened. As he waited, the thrilling call
rang out within bow-shot of him. Eunning Fox
trembled with eagerness. The next moment he
heard the elk moving about in the undergrowth.
Was it approaching, or going away? Eunning
Fox listened anxiously. He decided that it was
moving slowly in his direction. Then he
thought that he heard more than one animal
stirring about in the dense cover. He wondered
if he had come upon a herd. The possibility
filled him with hope.
Soon afterward the bushes swayed directly
in front of him, and a great antlered head ap-
peared. Eunning Fox held his breath. Then
the elk moved from cover, and the Delaware
shot his arrow. It struck close behind the
shoulder, and the bull wheeled and crashed into
the undergrowth. Fitting an arrow to his bow,
59
The White Wolf
Eunning Fox ran wildly in pursuit, while he
shouted to warn Spotted Deer that the elk was
running in that direction. At the sound of his
voice, however, the bull stopped to look back.
Eunning Fox saw his opportunity, and shot
his second arrow. It struck close beside the
first, and the elk grunted angrily and faced him.
Then, as Eunning Fox reached for another
arrow, the bull charged. It rushed directly to-
ward him, and he realized that his life was in
peril. As there was no time to string his arrow,
he turned and ran for the nearest shelter. He
saw two large bowlders standing a bow-length
apart, and he jumped between them.
The elk rushed close up to the rocks, and
Eunning Fox again reached for an arrow.
Then he discovered that in his flight through
the undergrowth the case of arrows had fallen
from his back. The loss left him powerless.
He gave way to utter despair, for he believed
that once more the prize was about to slip from
his grasp. The elk, however, showed no inten-
tion of retreating. Unable to reach him, it was
snorting angrily, and pawing savagely at the
ground. It was so close that Eunning Fox
could almost touch it with his bow. He saw the
threatening flash of its eyes, and distinctly
heard it champing its teeth. Two arrows were
buried deep behind its shoulder, and it seemed
as if it must soon collapse. Still, as it showed
60
The Wounded Elk
no signs of weakening, Running Fox feared
each moment that it might turn, and make good
its escape. Realizing that Spotted Deer might
arrive in time to prevent the loss, Running Fox
whooped diligently to bring him to the spot. In
a few moments his signals were answered, and
he knew that Spotted Deer was hurrying to-
ward him. When the latter finally came within
hailing distance he called out to learn the
trouble.
"Mos has chased me into the rocks," shouted
Running Fox. "I have dropped my arrows.
Come over and kill him, but be careful. He is
very mad."
. "I am ready for him," Spotted Deer called
back, reassuringly.
Soon afterward Running Fox heard him ap-
proaching through the undergrowth. The elk
heard him, too, and peered suspiciously toward
the sound. Then, as Spotted Deer came in
sight, the bull rushed at him.
"Look out, he is coming!" warned Running
Fox, as he ran out to recover his arrows.
Spotted Deer waited until the elk was almost
upon him before he jumped nimbly aside. As
the bull rushed past, the skillful young hunter
drove an arrow into it at close range. The elk
fell to its knees, and before it recovered
Spotted Deer drove two more arrows into its
body. Then he ran forward, and plunged his
61
The White Wolf
knife into its throat. When Running Fox
reached him the elk was dead.
"Well, my brother, you are a better hunter
than I am," laughed Running Fox.
' t No, Running Fox, you are the best hunter, '
Spotted Deer replied, loyally.
They searched carefully, hoping to find more
elk, as Running Fox was quite certain that he
had heard more than one. All they found, how-
ever, were the fresh tracks of the bull which
they had just killed.
"Well, my ears must have fooled me," Run-
ning Fox declared, doubtfully.
The elk was a big bull in splendid condition,
and the Delawares were delighted with their
luck. They lost little time in removing the pelt,
and cutting up the carcass. They selected the
choicest meat, and packed as much as they could
carry. Then they dug a hole and concealed the
balance of the carcass until they could return
for it.
"Now I will show you something," Spotted
Deer said, quietly, when they had finished their
task.
He started away in the direction from which
he had come, and Running Fox followed him
in silence. They went a considerable distance
before Spotted Deer finally stopped before a
large white birch.
62
The Wounded Elk
"Look on the other side of that tree," he
said.
Sunning Fox moved swiftly around the
trunk, and saw that a good-sized slab of the
outside bark had been freshly peeled from the
tree. The inner layer of bark was marked with
a number of strange figures and symbols. They
had been drawn with a piece of bone or a sharp-
ened stick, and the work appeared to have just
been done. For some moments Running Fox
studied the figures in silence.
"Well, my brother, what do you make of it?"
Spotted Deer finally inquired.
"It is a message," replied Eunning Fox.
' l Can you tell what it means ? ' ' asked Spotted
Deer.
Eunning Fox moved his fingers over two
rude figures which apparently were intended to
represent human forms.
"Those are two hunters," he said, slowly.
"They are carrying bows. They are in a
swamp. Those marks standing up straight
mean long grass which grows in the swamp.
Here is the head of Mos, the great deer. There
are two marks near it. They mean that those
hunters saw two great deer. Here are arrows
flying high. They show that nothing was killed.
Here are the tracks of Mos running away.
Here are the tracks of those hunters running
after Mos. See, down here is a lodge and some
63
The White Wolf
corn growing. It is the sign of our people.
Spotted Deer, we are in danger. Some of our
enemies axe about. They saw us in that swamp
trying to kill the great deer. They have left
this here to tell their friends about it. Perhaps
scouts are following us.'
"Bunning Fox, I believe what you say is
true," Spotted Deer replied, seriously. ''Per-
haps our enemies, the Mohawks, have come
down here to look for meat. We must find our
friends, and tell them about it.'
"Yes, it is the best thing to do," agreed
Eunning Fox.
As the day was far advanced they saw little
possibility of getting in touch with their com-
rades before the following day. However, they
determined to set out without further delay,
and they continued to travel well into the night.
When they finally stopped to rest they feared
to make a fire lest they might be found by
sharp-eyed scouts who might have followed
them.
The night was cold and blustery, and the
Delawares crept into the tangled top of a fallen
pine to shelter themselves from the biting
blasts of the wind. The discovery of the mys-
terious warning on the white birch made them
cautious, and they determined to remain awake
until they felt sure that there were no foes
prowling about in the vicinity.
64:
The Wounded Elk
However, as they heard nothing to arouse
their suspicions they finally ceased watching
and prepared to sleep. It was not long before
Running Fox suddenly awakened, and sat up
to listen. He felt quite certain that he had
heard something, and yet he was not sure that
he had not been dreaming. For some moments
he heard only the wind moaning through the
tree-tops. Then he heard the call of the great
horned owl. He listened anxiously as it came
faintly out of the north. It sounded perfectly
natural, and still Running Fox was suspicious.
He knew from experience that it was a favor-
ite signal of his foes, the Mohawks, and as the
present call came from the vicinity where he
and Spotted Deer had killed the elk he deter-
mined to be on his guard. A few moments
later, therefore, when he heard the call re-
peated from farther to the west, his suspicions
were strengthened. He feared that a company
of Mohawk scouts had found his trail, and were
communicating the discovery to some of their
tribesmen. He determined to awaken Spotted
Deer.
"What is it?" Spotted Deer asked, excitedly,
as he reached for his weapons.
" Allapi, listen,' cautioned Running Fox.
It was some moments before they heard any-
thing. Then the familiar notes again sounded
65
The White Wolf
from the north. They were repeated twice in
quick succession, and then all was silent.
"That is only the big night bird," said
Spotted Deer.
"Perhaps," replied Eunning Fox. "Per-
haps it is something different. We must be
sure."
Then the call was again answered from the
west, and the sharp-eared young Delawares in-
stantly detected its falsity. It had been uttered
too rapidly, and the tone was too high. They
were fully convinced that it was a counterfeit
"Well, my brother, how do you feel about it
now?" inquired Kunning Fox.
"There is something wrong about it," re-
plied Spotted Deer.
They listened a long time, but the call seemed
to have ceased. The Delawares felt sure, how-
ever, that a company of their foes were scout-
ing through the wilderness in search of them.
The thought caused them considerable anxiety,
and they determined to find their comrades at
the earliest possible moment.
CHAPTER VI
A FOKEST FIKB
AT daylight the Delawares set out to rejoin
their comrades. They determined to waste no
time in hunting, as they feared that their ene-
mies might be following swiftly on their trail.
"We must travel fast until we find our
friends," said Running Fox.
Shortly after midday, however, they saw
something which brought them to a sudden
stop. A great mass of yellow smoke rose above
a low ridge to the westward. They knew at
once that it came from a forest fire, and they
watched it with considerable uneasiness.
"Tindey, the Fire Monster, is eating up the
woods, " said Running Fox.
The forest was dry and inflammable, and as
a strong wind blew from the west the lads real-
ized that the fire was sweeping directly toward
them. It worried them. They were still a con-
siderable distance from the place where they
expected to meet their friends, and they feared
that the fire would drive them from their course
before they reached the rendezvous.
"It is bad," said Spotted Deer, as they hur-
67
The White Wolf
ried on. ' ' Tindey will drive us away from our
friends."
"I believe our enemies have done this
thing, " Eunning Fox declared, savagely.
It was not long before they saw unmistakable
evidence that the fire was moving swiftly upon
them. A thin, purplish mist obscured the sun,
the air was heavy with the odor of burning pine,
and a weird yellow haze filled the woods. They
realized that each moment was precious, and
they hurried along at top speed.
"Tindey travels fast," said Eunning Fox.
"Yes. Perhaps he will chase away our
friends before we can find them," suggested
Spotted Deer.
"Perhaps," Eunning Fox replied, soberly.
However, he showed no intention of turning
back. He believed that his responsibility as
leader of the hunting party required him to
make every effort to obey the order which he
had issued to his comrades. He, too, began to
fear that his tribesmen would be forced to flee
from the rendezvous before he arrived, but he
determined to continue toward the meeting
place.
"We must keep going ahead,' he told
.Spotted Deer.
"I will follow you," Spotted Deer replied,
quietly.
In the meantime the wind had increased in
68
A Forest Fire
strength, and it was apparent that the fire was
reaching great proportions. Dense clouds of
smoke rolled up out of the west, and it seemed
as if the fire was about to rush over the top of
the ridge. Before it w r as a dense forest of
pitch pines, and the Delawares knew that once
in that heavy stand of inflammable timber it
would sweep forward with the irresistible vio-
lence of a tornado. They also knew that they
should turn and flee for safety. They realized
that each moment they delayed weakened their
chance of escape, and yet neither of them sug-
gested retreating. Their goal was now but a
short distance ahead of them, and they deter-
mined to risk their lives to make good their
pledge to their friends.
i i This is bad, ' ' panted Eunning Fox, as they
ran through the smoky woods. "We must
watch out or Tindey will catch us. '
"I believe it will be hard to get away/'
Spotted Deer replied, grimly.
The smoke had become so dense that they
could scarcely see a bow-length in front of
them. Great black cinders began to drop down
through the trees. A fox ran wildly across
their path. Several grouse thundered by close
to their heads. Then they heard a great roar,
and as they turned their eyes toward the west
they saw an immense wall of flame leap up from
the top of the ridge.
69
The White Wolf
"Bun! Bun!" cried Bunning Fox, as lie
dropped the load of meat from his back.
Spotted Deer also freed himself from his bur-
den. They scrambled wildly up the side of a
rocky hill, and stared anxiously through the
smoke to find the dead pine which marked the
spot where they had agreed to meet their
friends. Precious moments passed while they
searched for it. In the meantime the fire
roared down the side of the ridge, and swept
on into the vast pine forest. Suffocating clouds
of black smoke rolled into the sky as the trees
burst into flame. Great sheets of fire spread
from tree-top to tree-top as the wind urged
Tindey forward on his career of destruction.
Bunning Fox suddenly stopped, and uttered
the call of the barred owl. It was almost
drowned by the noise of the fire, and he had
little hope of receiving an answer. He listened
anxiously for a reply. Then, when he failed
to hear it, he threw back his head and gave the
wild, ringing war-cry of his people. It rose
defiantly above the sullen roar of Tindey, and
was carried away by Linchen, the west wind.
"If any of our friends are near they will
hear that/' Spotted Deer said, hopefully.
The next moment an answer sounded within
bow-shot of them. Calling to their comrades to
wait, the lads rushed wildly through the smoke
70
A Forest Fire
to find them. They found only two, Painted
Hawk and Yellow Wolf, awaiting them.
"You have come it is good," Yellow Wolf
said, quietly.
"Where are our brothers?" Running Fox de-
manded, excitedly.
"We have not seen them," replied Painted
Hawk. "Perhaps Tindey has caught them."
"Well, we must not wait here any longer,"
declared Eunning Fox. "Tindey is almost
upon us. Come, my brothers, we must try to
get away."
They scrambled frantically down the rocky
hillside, and fled toward the east. The country
was rough and difficult, and they realized that
the fire would soon overtake them unless they
speedily found some haven of refuge. Eun-
ning Fox recalled a small marshy swale which
he had encountered on one of his former hunt-
ing expeditions in that vicinity, and he deter-
mined to try to find it. He believed it offered
their only chance of escape.
They heard the fire raging behind them, and
they knew that they were racing for their lives.
The woods were choked with dense clouds of
smoke which blinded and stifled them. Eun-
ning Fox realized that it would be a waste of
valuable time to attempt to search for familiar
landmarks. He determined to trust entirely to
his keenly developed sense of direction to lead
71
The White Wolf
him to the little strip of marsh which he knew
was somewhere in the general vicinity. It
seemed like a desperate chance, hnt his com-
rades followed him with blind confidence.
"Hurry! Hurry!" cried Kunning Fox, as
they plunged across a bushy ravine. "I know
this place. Pretty soon we will come to the wet
place. It is straight ahead of us. '
He raced ahead like Timmeu, the wolf, on
the trail of a deer. His companions followed
him with fresh hopes. The fire, however, was
rapidly overtaking them. They heard it raging
through the timber close behind them, and they
knew that unless they soon found the marshy
swale nothing could save them. Eunning Fox
was peering anxiously about him in an effort
to pierce the heavy pall of smoke, and locate
some familiar feature which might guide him
to his goal. He suddenly stopped at the base
of a giant pine. Then he began to circle the
tree, and closely examine the bark. The others
watched him in silence.
"See!" cried Eunning Fox, pointing to the
tree. "There are the old marks of Machque,
the bear. I know this tree. We have passed
the wet place. This tree is beyond it.'
His companions looked at him in dismay.
Hope suddenly died in their hearts. They be-
lieved that they were lost. Tindey, the great
72
A Forest Fire
Fire Monster, was roaring down upon them,
and they saw no way of escape.
' ' Come ! Come ! ' ' cried Running Fox. ' * Bun
close behind me. I will lead you to the wet
place. ' '
Once more they followed him in a wild flight
through the smoky woods. This time he ran
almost directly toward the approaching fire,
and his friends wondered if he had suddenly
lost his sense of direction. They made no pro-
test, however, for he was their leader, and they
still had implicit confidence in his ability.
4 * This way! This way!" shouted Running
Fox, as he suddenly turned in his course.
Within an arrow-flight they floundered into
the shallow, stagnant water of the little swale.
It was less than a bow-shot in diameter, and
was surrounded on all sides by a dense stand
of pitch pines. A heavy fringe of bushes grew
along its borders. It seemed like a small and
insecure refuge from the great Fire Demon,
but the Delawares were glad to accept whatever
protection it might offer them.
"Tindey cannot reach us here," Running
Fox assured them.
" Tindey has long arms," Yellow Wolf
warned him.
Then, as the fire was almost upon them, they
retreated to the center of the swale, and waited
calmly to learn their fate. The wind had risen
73
The White Wolf
to a gale, and the flames were fanned to gigan-
tic proportions. They roared through the tim-
ber with the sound of thunder, and left a dreary
blackened waste behind them. Each moment
the smoke pall grew more dense, and the Dela-
wares soon found themselves coughing, and
gasping for breath. They began to fear that if
they were not roasted by the awful heat from
the flames they would be suffocated by the
smoke.
' * Lie down ! Lie down ! Tindey is trying to
choke us,' cried Running Fox, as he dropped
face downward in the shallow pool.
The others immediately followed his sugges-
tion. Then the great conflagration swept upon
them. It seemed as if the entire universe had
suddenly leaped into flame. They saw it burst-
ing from the undergrowth, sweeping through
space, and leaping to the tops of the tallest
trees. It roared, and hissed, and crackled, and
shriveled the earth with its hot, blistering
breath. The Delawaies crouched close to-
gether, and looked with wild, startled eyes as
Tindey raged about their refuge. In a moment
they were completely surrounded by a great
wall of fire. It swept to the edge of the little
pool, and reached hungrily across the water
with its long red fingers. The Delawares
twisted and writhed in agony as terrific blasts
of heat swept over them. The shallow pool
74
A Forest Fire
suddenly seemed to turn to flame. Huge black
billows of smoke shut out the daylight. Great
showers of glowing embers fell from the sky.
A dry bush in the middle of the swale started
into flame, and Kunning Fox crushed it to the
water. A flaming pine crashed down within
bow-shot of the crouching Delawares. Sparks
lighted in their hair, and burned deeply into
their flesh. They realized that it would be only
a matter of moments before they must suc-
cumb.
"I am burning up!" cried Yellow Wolf.
He rose unsteadily to his feet, and would
have rushed wildly into the flames, but his
friends seized him and dragged him down.
Then for long, torturing moments they lay with
their faces close to the water, gasping for the
scant supply of air that still lingered above the
pool. While they fought to keep alive, the heat
gradually subsided, the long, threatening red
fingers withdrew from the edge of the pool, and
the embers ceased to drop into the water.
However, it was some time before the Dela-
wares fully realized that the fire had actually
passed. Then they raised their heads, and saw
it sweeping away toward the eastward.
"Tindey has gone we are alive it is good/'
said Running Fox.
"You are a great leader; you have given us
our lives," replied Painted Hawk.
75
CHAPTER VII
\
THE HUNGER MOON"
FOR a long time the Delawares sat in gloomy
silence, watching the great fire rage on its mad
career of destruction. They were alone in a
dreary scene of lifeless desolation. They looked
about them in despair. The fragrant green
forest had suddenly been changed into a
parched brown waste of scorched trees. The
vegetation had been shriveled to ashes, and
the earth itself seemed to have been burned to
cinders. Except themselves, not a living thing
remained in the wake of the flames. Like a
great plague, the fire had swept through the
wilderness, and left it bare and lifeless.
"Tindey has killed every thing, " Yellow Wolf
said, sadly. "He has sucked the blood from our
brother, Pindalanak, the pine. He has eaten up
all the growing things. He has smothered our
brothers, the little Underground People. He
has driven away Achtu, the deer, and Popokus,
the partridge. There is nothing left to hunt.
There is nothing left to eat. He has dried up
the pools of sweet water. Everything is dead.
See, Haki, our mother, the earth, has covered
76
The Hunger Moon
her face with ashes. She is crying for her
children. It is bad."
"Yes, my brother, it is bad," Eunning Fox
replied, soberly.
The day was drawing to a close, and the
Delawares determined to spend the night in
the swale. The wilderness was still hot and
smoking, and here and there burning pines
blazed forth like grim sentinels left behind by
Tindey to guard his trail. The sun had disap-
peared into a weird red haze, and the sky was
streaked with smoke. Great banks of it rolled
up out of the east, as Tindey roared onward
into the dusk.
As night finally closed upon them, the Dela-
wares made their way to a narrow strip of
marsh at the edge of the swale. It was a wet
and uncomfortable camp-site, but they deter-
mined to make the best of it. They found a
few small spruces which the marsh had saved
from the flames, and they uprooted them and
spread the dense feathery branches upon the
moss to provide a dry couch. Then they gath-
ered some willow branches, and made a fire.
Yellow Wolf and Painted Hawk had retained
a small supply of meat, and they broiled it be-
fore the tiny flame. They ate in gloomy silence,
for their hearts were heavy, and their minds
were filled with all sorts of alarming premoni-
tions about their people.
77
The White Wolf
"Yellow Wolf, do you know what has become
of our friends !" Running Fox inquired, after
they had finished eating.
"No, my brother, I do not know anything
about it," Yellow Wolf replied, gravely.
"When we went away from you to find game
we did not hear any more of them. I hunted
hard with my brother, Painted Hawk, but we
did not find anything for a long time. Then
we found an elk. It was a very old cow. There
was not much meat on it, but we killed it.
That is all we found. Then it came time to
meet you, and we went to that place to meet
you. As we were going there we saw smoke.
Then we knew that Tindey was coming, and we
traveled fast. Well, we reached that place, but
no one was there. Then we waited, and you
came. Perhaps our friends could not come to
meet us. Perhaps Tindey chased them away.
Perhaps they were burned up. I do not like
to talk about -it. My heart is heavy. I cannot
tell you anything more/'
When Yellow Wolf finished speaking his
comrades remained silent. The strange disap-
pearance of their friends filled them with
gloom. They feared that all of them might not
have escaped. They felt equally anxious about
the fate of the Delaware camp. They wondered
if the fire had extended that far. If it had,
they feared that with only the old men, and the
78
The Hunger Moon
women and children available for its defense
the village had been destroyed. They grew
weak at the thought.
"My friends, I feel bad in my heart/' said
Eunning Fox. "I am thinking about my
friends. I do not know what has happened to
them. I am also thinking about the old people,
and the women and children whom we left be-
hind. Perhaps Tindey has destroyed them.
How did Tindey come here I I will tell you, my
friends. I believe that our enemies sent him.
It makes me hot inside. I want to go and fight.
But first we must find out what has happened
to our people. "
"Eunning Fox speaks good words," declared
Painted Hawk. "He is a brave warrior, and a
good leader. I believe what he tells us is true.
Yes, I believe that our enemies sent the fierce
Fire Monster upon us."
"Did you see anything of our enemies!" in-
quired Spotted Deer.
"No, we did not see anything of them, but
I believe they did this thing," replied Painted
Hawk.
"Well, my friends, I will tell you some-
thing," said Eunning Fox.
Then he told Yellow Wolf and Painted Hawk
about the mysterious symbols which Spotted
Deer had discovered on the white birch. He
also told them about the suspicious owl calls
79
The White Wolf
which, he and Spotted Deer had heard during
the night. The story greatly impressed the two
Delaware hunters.
"Now I know that our enemies sent Tindey
against us," Yellow Wolf cried, angrily.
"They sent him here to burn our lodges and
drive away the game/'
"Who do you believe did this thing ?" in-
quired Running Fox.
"I cannot tell you that," replied Yellow
Wolf. "Perhaps it was the Shawnees. Per-
haps it was the Mohawks.'
"My friends, I believe it was the "
Painted Hawk suddenly ceased speaking, and
raised his hand as a warning to silence. The
weird, piercing cry which had haunted Running
Fox and Spotted Deer again sounded from the
north. It echoed dismally through the lifeless
forest, like the wails of one in agony, and the
Delawares listened in superstitious fear.
"What was it?" whispered Painted Hawk,
when the call finally ceased.
"It is something mysterious," declared
Yellow Wolf. "It was not the cry of fierce
Quenischquney, the panther. It was not the
cry of Manque, the lynx. It sounded some-
thing like Timmeu, the wolf, but it was differ-
ent. It was not the great night bird. I do not
know what it was. I believe it was one of the
Evil People."
80
The Hunger Moon
u My friends, when I was hunting for meat
with my brother Spotted Deer we heard that
cry," Running Fox told them. "It always
came from the Cold Place. I do not like to
hear it. I, too, believe it is one of the Evil
People. I believe it is a bad sign."
' ' We will listen, perhaps it will come again, '
said Painted Hawk.
The little camp-fire had already burned out,
and the Delawares made no attempt to find a
fresh supply of fuel. They sat close together
in the darkness, and watched the flickering
glow in the eastern sky. The air was heavy
with the odor of charred wood, and in every
direction they saw the glow from burning
stumps. The heavens were dark and starless,
and it seemed as if they, too, had been scorched
and blackened by the long red fingers of Tin-
dey, the Fire Monster.
The marsh was cold and wet, and the Dela-
wares spent a dreary night watching for day-
light. They found it impossible to sleep, as
their eyes were inflamed and sore, and their
bodies were scorched and blistered. Their
minds, too, were sick with alarm for the safety
of their people. They were troubled and fear-
ful, and their one desire was to reach the Dela-
ware camp at the earliest possible moment, and
learn if their fears were true.
"Come, my friends, we will go to our peo-
81
The White Wolf
pie," Kunning Fox told them, as the first gray
light showed in the east.
They immediately left the swale, and filed
away through the grim black forest. On all
sides were evidences of the ruin which Tindey,
the fierce Fire Monster, had wrought. The
Delawares looked about them with sad,
troubled eyes. The great hunting ground
which had been the pride of their people was
now a barren waste. They believed that it
meant disaster for their tribe. They feared
that the bright, happy days of plenty had
passed, and privation and want were at hand.
"When I look at this my heart is heavy, and
I am like an old man,' 7 said Spotted Deer.
"It is bad," Running Fox replied, gloomily.
They were less than a full day's journey from
the Delaware camp, and they hurried toward
it at top speed. Columns of smoke showed
faintly against the sky far to the eastward, and
they knew that the fire was still sweeping
through the wilderness. They climbed to the
top of each ridge, and eagerly scanned the coun-
try ahead of them, hoping to see the end of the
dreary waste through which they were travel-
ing. Each time, however, they were disap-
pointed. The thick stand of timber was burned
as far as they could see. Their hopes began
to fail. They feared to come in sight of the
Delaware camp, for they dreaded to think what
82
The Hunger Moon
they might find. Then later in the day they
reached the river which flowed past the Dela-
ware village. They saw that the fire had begun
at the water's edge, and the woods on the oppo-
site shore were unburned.
' ' See ! ' ' cried Eunning Fox. * * Now we know
that our enemies have done this thing."
They raced on with hearts full of fear. It
was evident that some crafty foe had deter-
mined to destroy both the Delaware camp, and
the Delaware hunting grounds, and it seemed
as if the treacherous plan had succeeded.
"Well, we will soon know about it," declared
Eunning Fox, as he led his companions at a
furious pace.
Then, when the day was two-thirds gone, they
came in sight of the Delaware camp-site. They
looked with bated breath. Then they saw the
lodges. They saw smoke rising slowly from
the center of the camp. The village was intact.
Their people were safe. They laughed with
boyish glee.
"It is good," Eunning Fox cried, joyfully.
" Getanittowit has helped our people. They
have chased away Tindey, the Fire Monster."
They hurried along the top of the ridge until
they were opposite the camp. Then they
stopped, and looked with delight upon the
peaceful village beside the river. The ground
on all sides of it was black and fire-scarred,
83
The White Wolf
and it was apparent that the Delawares had set
a back-fire to protect the camp. The four hun-
ters on the mountain-top united their voices in
a ringing shout of victory. As it rang over
the valley, and echoed shrilly between the hills,
the Delawares ran from the lodges and rushed
to the edge of the camp. The hunters shouted
again, and waved their arms. Then the people
looked toward the mountain-top, and saw them
silhouetted against the sky, and a mighty shout
of welcome rose from the village.
"Come, my brothers, our people are waiting
for us," cried Running Fox, as he hastened
down the mountain-side.
The Delawares met them at the edge of the
camp, and escorted them into the village in tri-
umph. Eunning Fox saw that all of the other
hunters seemed to have reached the village in
safety. Five of the men who had accompanied
him came forward to greet him. He saw meat
broiling over the fires, and he knew that some
of the hunters had found game. Then a woman
suddenly rushed to his side, and looked closely
into his face with wild, frightened eyes.
"Where is Dancing Owl? Where is my
son?" she cried.
Eunning Fox suddenly realized that only nine
of his own company had returned. Dancing
Owl, the famous young warrior who had sur-
prised and killed the Mohawk scouts whom he
84
The Hunger Moon
had found prowling about the Delaware camp,
was missing. Eunning Fox looked steadily
into the troubled eyes of the frantic mother.
"My friend, you have asked me what has
happened to your son/' he said, quietly. "I
do not know what has become of him. We sep-
arated to find meat. I went away with my
brother, Spotted Deer. Dancing Owl went
away with Laughing Beaver. Perhaps Laugh-
ing Beaver can tell you about him."
"No, I do not know what became of him"
declared Laughing Beaver. "We separated to
find game. When it came time to meet, I waited
a long time, but Dancing Owl did not come.
Then I looked hard to find him. Then the great
fire came, and chased me away. I circled
around and came here. I did not find him here.
I feel bad in my heart. Dancing Owl is my
friend."
The woman turned away with bowed head,
and Eunning Fox looked after her with sympa-
thetic eyes. Then he hurried away to find his
father. Black Panther met him at the entrance
to his lodge.
"My son, you have come it is good," said
the famous Delaware war-chief.
"I have brought no meat," Eunning Fox re-
plied, gloomily.
"Only Big Elk and his hunters brought
meat," Black Panther told him. "All of the
85
The White Wolf
other hunters came with empty hands. It is
bad. Bad days have come upon us."
"Did Big Elk find much game!" Running
Fox inquired, eagerly.
"No, they killed only two small elk, and one
was very thin," said Black Panther.
He told Running Fox that with the exception
of Big Elk and his companions, who had hunted
toward the south, the hunting parties had re-
turned without meat. Then the great fire had
threatened the camp. Then Dancing Owl had
failed to meet his companions. Black Panther
said that all those misfortunes had frightened
and disheartened the people. He declared that
some Evil Spirit was working against them.
"My heart is heavy about Dancing Owl,"
said Running Fox. "Something bad must
have happened to him."
"Perhaps Tindey caught him," replied Black
Panther.
At that moment old Sky Dog, the medicine-
man, entered the lodge. He stopped when he
saw Running Fox, and tried to identify him
in the failing light.
"It is Running Fox," Black Panther told
him.
"Well, young man, did you bring us any
meat?" Sky Dog inquired, peevishly.
"No, I did not bring any meat," replied Run-
ning Fox.
86
The Hunger Moon
"It is bad. It is bad," croaked the aged
medicine-man. * * The Cold Time is almost here,
and we have nothing to eat. We have sent our
best hunters into the forest, and they could find
no game. Mauwallauwin has turned against
us. I warned you about it. Now it has come
to pass. We shall starve. Pretty soon we shall
all die. Wingewochqueu, the raven, and Tim-
meu, the wolf, will pick our bones. "
" Those are bad words," Black Panther said,
sharply. "You are a great Medicine Person.
You must do something to help us."
" Well, I will try to do something good," re-
plied Sky Dog. "When the next sun comes
send the hunters across the water, and I will
try to help them."
"It is good," declared Black Panther. "I
will do as you tell me to do."
The following day the hunters crossed the
river, and hunted far back among the hills. At
night they returned with a deer as the sole re-
sult of the hunt. They went again the next
day, and returned with a few grouse and squir-
rels. The third day they brought nothing.
Then Black Panther sent criers through the
camp to call the people together in council to
discuss what should be done. They gathered
in the great council lodge with gloomy hearts.
Even the women and children were admitted
87
The White Wolf
for the calamity which had come upon them
menaced all alike.
"My people, bad days have come upon us,'
said Black Panther. ' * Our hunters can find no
game. Our enemies have burned our hunting
grounds. One of our brave young men has dis-
appeared. Lowan, the time of cold, is almost
upon us. We have little to eat. Pretty soon
we shall have nothing. Something must be
done. We cannot starve in our lodges, like
Muschgingus, the rabbit. Now I will ask Sky
Dog to give you some words. He is a great
Medicine Person. Perhaps he can tell us what
to do. I have spoken. '
"Delawares, what I warned you about has
come to pass,' cried the old medicine-man.
* l Mauwallauwin has turned against us. Geta-
nittowit, the Great One, has closed his ears
against our words. I have done big things, but
some great Evil Person is against me. Listen !
Do you hear fierce Lowanachen blowing from
the Cold Place? Pretty soon Lowan will cover
the earth with his great white robe. Then the
old people will die. The women and children
will cry for meat to keep them warm. There
will be none to give them."
As Sky Dog paused for breath, a long, mourn-
ful wail rang through the camp. The Delawares
turned to one another in alarm. The medicine-
man stood rigid. Eunning Fox and Spotted
88
The Hunger Moon
Deer exchanged glances. It was the same mys-
terious call from the north. Twice it echoed
through the camp, and then it ceased.
"Listen, my people, did you hear that cry?"
Sky Dog shouted, excitedly. "Some of you
know it. Most of you have never heard it. It
means great disaster. It is the voice of the
great White Wolf. He is a mysterious Medi-
cine Creature. He is one of the fierce Evil
People. He has come here to drive away the
game. He will bring great trouble upon us.
We must move the camp. If we remain here
we shall starve. ' '
"Tell us about this strange Medicine Crea-
ture,' cried the superstitious Delawares.
"Yes, yes, tell us about it," urged Black
Panther.
"Well, my people, I will tell you about it,"
agreed Sky Dog. "But first I must light the
Medicine Pipe and fill the lodge with smoke to
keep out the fierce Medicine Wolf. ' '
The Delawares waited in great suspense
while Sky Dog filled the Medicine Pipe with
sacred herbs, and puffed the smoke toward the
door of the lodge. Then he passed the pipe to
Black Panther. After the chief had smoked,
Sky Dog held the pipe before him for protec-
tion against the evil influence of the mysterious
white Medicine Wolf while he related the
ancient legend to his people.
89
CHAPTER VHI
SKY DOG TELLS A STOEY
"MY friends, I am about to tell you of some-
thing which happened long, long ago," began
the aged medicine-man. "It happened before
I was alive. It happened before my father was
alive. It happened before my grandfather was
alive. Now you see that it was a very long
time ago. Our people have told it to one an-
other from the time when the first Lenapes be-
gan to live. It is a great Medicine Story, and
it can be told only by a Medicine Person. That
is why I am about to tell it to you. Now I will
tell you about it.
' ' A long time ago the Lenapes and the wolves
smoked the pipe, and agreed to live in peace.
For a long time they had been fighting each
other, but now they agreed to pat away their
weapons and live as brothers. They held a
great council. It was a wonderful thing, my
friends, and a great many people came together.
Our brothers, the Lenapes, sat behind their
chiefs on one side of the fire, and the wolves sat
behind their leader on the other side of the fire.
The leader of the wolves was the great white
90
Sky Dog Tells a Story
Medicine Wolf which I am going to tell you
about.
' ' The great Lenape chiefs made speeches, and
told the wolves that their hearts were friendly,
and called the wolves their brothers. Then the
great white Medicine Wolf told the Lenapes
that he was glad to hear their words. He said
that the hearts of the wolves were good toward
the Lenapes. He called them his brothers, and
agreed to live at peace with them. Then the
Lenapes sang good songs, and danced joyfully
to show that their hearts were friendly toward
their new brothers, the wolves. After that the
wolves leaped around, and howled to show that
their hearts were good toward the Lenapes.
"The council continued many days, and the
Lenape hunters went into the forest and killed
much meat which they gave to their brothers,
the wolves. Then the great white Medicine
Wolf told the Lenapes to wait while he and his
people went away into the forest. They were
gone a long time. Then the Lenapes heard
them coming back. Pretty soon they came in
sight. They brought birds, and rabbits, and
fish, and gave them to their brothers, the
Lenapes. There was much to eat, and the
Lenapes and the wolves began a great feast
which continued many days. There was much
dancing and singing, and all sorts of games, and
races between the Lenapes and the wolves.
91
The White Wolf
"Then when they finally ate up all of the
food, and the people began to grow tired, they
decided to separate and go to their villages.
They held another great council. The Lenapes
sat on one side, and the wolves on the other
side. The greatest Lenape war-chief, and the
great white Medicine Wolf sat beside each other
in the center of the council circle. They lighted
the pipe, and first the Lenape puffed smoke
over the wolf, and then the wolf puffed smoke
over the Lenape. The Lenape chief made a
talk and promised to protect the wolf and his
people, and invited the wolves to go to the
Lenape camp. Then the Medicine Wolf made
a speech and promised to help the Lenapes. He
said that his people would drive game to the
Lenape village, and would always give the
Lenapes warning when their enemies came near
them. Then the Lenapes shouted, and danced
around the wolves, and the wolves howled, and
danced around the Lenapes. After that all the
people went home.
1 ' For a long time after that great council the
Lenapes and the wolves lived at peace. When
the Lenapes went on the war-trail the wolves
always followed them. At night they would
howl to let the Lenapes know that they were
guarding them as they had promised to do.
When the Cold Time came, and it was hard to
find game, the wolves would chase elk and deer
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Sky Dog Tells a Story
near the Lenape camp, so that their brothers
might have plenty to eat. When the Lenapes
killed game they always left some meat for their
brothers the wolves. Whenever a Lenape and
a wolf met in the forest they would stop, and
greet each other as brothers. Sometimes the
wolves would call the Lenape hunters, and when
the Lenapes went to them they always found
meat. So they lived happily together for a very
long time.
"Then, one day when the great white robe
was heavy upon the earth, Spotted Fawn, the
little daughter of Fighting Elk, a great Lenape
warrior, wandered away from the village.
Fighting Elk thought much of his daughter,
and when he heard that she had strayed away
his heart grew heavy. He called some of his
friends, and led them away on her trail which
was easy to follow in the great white robe.
The little footprints finally led them to the top
of a large rock by the side of some swift water.
The trail ended on the rock, and all about it
were the fresh tracks of the great gray wolves.
" 'See,' shouted Fighting Elk, 'the wolves
have eaten Spotted Fawn. I am going to war.
I will kill every wolf I see. '
"His friends tried to quiet him, but he would
not hear them. They told him that Spotted
Fawn might have slipped from the rock, and
fallen into the water. They told him that the
93
The White Wolf
wolves might have followed the trail to find the
child, and bring her back to the Lenape village.
" 'No, no, it is not so/ cried Fighting Elk.
'The wolves have eaten my daughter, and I
will kill them.'
"His friends thought different about it.
They hunted along the sides of the stream for
some time, hoping to find the body of Spotted
Fawn. When they could not find it, Fighting
Elk left them and hurried to the village to tell
the Lenapes what he had seen. He made a
strong talk against the wolves, and the people
believed his words. They began to dance and
prepare to go to war against the wolves. Then
some of the old men made talks, and asked the
Lenapes to wait until they heard what the
wolves had to say about it.
" 'No! No!' shouted the warriors. 'The
wolves have killed Spotted Fawn, and now we
are going out to destroy them.'
"Well, my friends, the next time the wolves
chased game near the Lenape camp the war-
riors ran out and killed some of the wolves.
The great White Wolf was not with those
wolves, and the Lenapes wondered what he
would do when he heard what they had done to
his people.
"In a few days the wolves gathered around
the Lenape village and yelped and howled for
war. There were a great many of them, and
94
Sky Dog Tells a Story
above all the others could be heard the cry of
the big white leader. It frightened the women
and children, and made the old men shake their
heads. The wolves kept howling around the
camp for many days, but they always came
when it was dark, and the people could not see
them.
"Then Fighting Elk said he would go out,
and kill the great white Medicine Wolf. His
friends told him that it would be very foolish
to go out alone in the darkness, but he would
not listen to their words. Soon after he left
the camp the people heard the cry of the Medi-
cine Wolf close by, and they knew that he was
coming to meet Fighting Elk. Then they lis-
tened a long time, but the wolves were still.
Then Fighting Elk gave the great Lenape war-
cry far away in the darkness.
" 'He has killed the Medicine Wolf!' the
Lenapes shouted.
"When it grew light Fighting Elk staggered
into the village. He was bloody, and weak from
many wounds. He threw the body of a great
she-wolf to the ground, and then he fell ex-
hausted. The Lenapes saw that one half of
the wolf was white, and the other half gray.
" 'It is the mate of the White Wolf,' they told
one another.
" ' Something bad will come of this,' declared
the old men.
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The White Wolf
"The Lenapes washed the wosinds of Fight-
ing Elk, and then they asked him to tell about
his fight with the wolves. He could not talk.
He seemed like one in a dream. He pointed to
the dead wolf, and then pointed above to the
little lights in the sky. He remained like that
for many days.
" 'The White Wolf has made him foolish,'
declared his friends.
"Then the wolves came again, and howled
around the camp, and the cry of the great white
leader always sounded above all the others.
When Fighting Elk heard it he would cry and
tremble, and show his teeth. The people were
afraid of him. They called the medicine-man
to drive the evil spirits from Fighting Elk, but
he could not help him.
"Well, my firiends, the wolves had stopped
chasing game to the camp, and the Lenapes had
to go out and hunt. They hunted hard for
many days, but they could not find a track.
Then they knew that the wolves were driving
away the game.
"Fighting Elk sat by himself, mumbling and
whining. When the wolves howled around the
village he would tremble, and cry, and the
women and children would run away from him.
Then one time the cry of the great White Wolf
sounded at the edge of the village, and Fight-
ing Elk gave a loud shout and rushed away into
96
Sky Dog Tells a Story
the darkness. Some of his friends ran after
him to bring him back, but the White Wolf and
his warriors drove them into the camp. My
friends, Fighting Elk was never seen again.
"Then for many days the Lenapes hunted
through the forest, but they found no game.
The dried meat was gone. The people were
starving. The boys hunted in the woods near
the camp, and brought in some squirrels and a
few small birds. The women made them into
a stew, and were so hungry that they could not
wait until they were cooked. There was only
enough for the women and children, and the
bones were cracked and given to the old men
who sucked the soft meat out of them.
"Then the Lenape war-chief called a coun-
cil. He told the people that the powerful Medi-
cine Wolf had sent all this trouble upon them.
" 'We must move the camp to some other
place or we shall starve,' said the Lenape chief.
"The people agreed that it was the only thing
to do. Then the chief selected the best scouts,
and divided them into four companies. He
sent them away in different directions to find
new hunting grounds. The scouts went away
as soon as it was light. One company traveled
toward Wapaneu, the place where day begins.
One went toward Schawaneu, the home of the
warm wind. One went toward Wundschenneu,
the place where the sun disappears. One went
97
The White Wolf
toward Lowaneu, the Cold Place. As they left
the camp the cry of the great White Wolf
sounded close by, and the old men shook their
heads. 'It is bad,' they told one another.
4 'Well, my friends, the warriors who stayed
behind hunted in the woods every day to find
food for the women and children. One day they
heard the cry of the White Wolf close behind
them. They hid in the bushes, and waited for
a chance to kill him. Pretty soon they heard
something jumping toward them. Then a fat
young buck ran past, and they killed it with
their arrows. While they were cutting it up the
White Wolf circled around them yelping and
howling.
" 'See, he wishes to make peace, and so he
has brought us meat,' said the hunters.
"They called to him, and he trotted off. The
hunters felt good about it. They believed that
the wolves wished to make peace with them.
They ran joyfully to the village with the meat,
and told the people what had happened.
" 'It is good/ cried the Lenapes. 'The
wolves wish peace. They are bringing us food.'
"They made many fires, and began to cook
the meat. Then the medicine-man rushed into
the center of the camp, and warned the people
against eating the meat. He said it was filled
with Evil Spirits, and would surely kill or be-
witch any one who ate it. The Lenapes did
98
Sky Dog Tells a Story
not like Ms words. They were very hungry,
and the meat smelled good.
"At last a young warrior said that he was
not afraid to eat the meat. He helped himself
to a big piece, and began to eat it while the
people watched him with hungry eyes. When
he had finished half of it he began to laugh at
the Lenapes, and told them they were foolish
to remain hungry while there was such good
meat close at hand. Then as the women and
children crowded toward the fires to get some
of the meat, the boastful young man fell down
dead. Then the wolves began to yelp in the
woods around the camp, and the voice of the
great White Wolf was the loudest of all.
"My friends, that made the Lenapes very
mad. The warriors promised to kill the great
white leader. Whenever he howled around the
camp some of those men ran out in the darkness
to kill him. Well, my friends, those brave war-
riors never came back. The Lenapes never
found their bones, so the wolves must have car-
ried them off.
"By that time the wolves had chased away
all the game, and the Lenapes had only a few
dried nuts, and some roots to eat. Their hearts
were very heavy, for the warriors who had gone
to find a good hunting ground sent them no
word.
99
274348B
The White Wolf
'Those men must have been eaten up by
the wolves,' they told one another.
"Then one time as they were sitting around
the council-fire they heard the White Wolf
howling right at the edge of the camp. Then
they heard some one calling. The warriors
seized their bows, and ran out to see who was
there. They found a warrior named Yellow
Bird crawling toward the village. He was one
of the scouts who went to find a hunting ground.
His body was covered with wounds, and he was
almost dead. They carried him into the camp,
and tried to help him.
"Then they heard the wolf cry again, and
another scout ran into the village. He, too, was
covered with wounds. Then the White Wolf
howled twice more, and two more scouts ran
into the camp. Four dying warriors were now
lying about the fire, one from each of the hunt-
ing parties that went to find game. All of them
told the same story.
* ' They told the Lenapes that they went a long
ways from the village, but the wolves always
ran ahead of them and drove away the game.
When it was dark the wolves would circle
around, and howl. Then when the hunters grew
tired and weak because they had no food the
wolves set upon them and tore them to pieces.
The great White Wolf always led the fight.
Only one man in each party was spared. Then
100
Sky Dog Tells a Story
the wolves chased that man toward the Lenape
camp. They raced along behind him, and when-
ever he slowed down they snapped at him and
gave him many wounds. When the tired run-
ner reached the edge of the camp the terrible
Medicine Wolf sprang upon him, and drove him
into the village to die.
' i When they heard those stories the Lenapes
gave up hope. They believed that the Medi-
cine Wolf would wipe away the whole tribe.
They ran to the lodge of their greatest medi-
cine-man, and asked him to help them. He told
them that he could do nothing against the power
of the great White Wolf. Then the war-chief
called the people together. He told them that
he believed they had done a foolish thing to
make war against the wolves without hearing
what they had to say about the disappearance
of Spotted Fawn. He said that perhaps the
wolves were not to blame. Then he asked some
of the bravest warriors to go to the rock where
the child had disappeared, and see if they could
find any trace of her body.
"Well, my friends, the next day some of the
greatest warriors in the tribe went to the rock
to search for Spotted Fawn. They looked
everywhere, but they found no trace of her.
When it grew dark they returned to the vil-
lage, and told the people that the wolves must
have eaten the daughter of Fighting Elk. ' We
101
The White Wolf
could not even find her bones,' they declared.
The chief did not feel right about it.
" 'I have had a dream,' he told the Lenapes.
'I do not believe the wolves killed Spotted
Fawn.'
* ' The next day he sent different warriors to
the rock to look for signs of Spotted Fawn.
They looked everywhere, but found nothing.
Then as the shadows began to fall they decided
to return to the village, and declare that the
wolves must have eaten the child. There was
one, however, who was not satisfied. He kept
traveling up and down the stream. Then as his
friends started away he called them back.
" 'See, I have found her,' he cried.
"He was looking down into a deep pool.
They all looked into the water, and saw the
body of little Spotted Fawn wedged fast be-
tween two rocks. Then they ran to the camp,
and told what they had found. All the people
rushed to the stream to see if it was true. When
they saw the child at the bottom of the pool
they felt bad because they had blamed the
wolves. 'There is only one thing to do,' de-
clared the Lenape chief. 'We must ask the
wolves to meet us at the council-fire. Then we
will tell them about this thing. We will ask
them to feel good about it. We must give them
many presents. We will ask them to put away
their weapons, and make peace with us. We
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Sky Dog Tells a Story
have been foolish. Now we must make the best
of it.'
4 'Well, my friends, the next day many
Lenape scouts went away into the forest to find
the wolves, and ask them to come to a council-
fire. They traveled a long ways, and whenever
they saw a wolf they called to him and told him
that the Lenapes wished peace.
"At last the day of the council came, and all
the Lenapes except the old men and the women
and children went to the meeting place. Pretty
soon the wolves began to come. They ap-
peared to have good hearts, and seemed glad
to make peace. The council-circle was formed,
and to show their good hearts a Lenape sat be-
side each wolf. In the center sat the great
Lenape war-chief, and the great white Medicine
Wolf. The pipe was lighted, and every one
smoked it. Then the Lenapes made many talks,
and told the wolves that their hearts were
heavy because they had made war on them.
"Then it came time for the wolves to speak,
and the Lenapes waited to hear what they pro-
posed to do. The great White Wolf stood up
as if he intended to say something. Then he
gave his war-cry, and jumped at the throat of
the Lenape chief. Then every wolf and every
Lenape began to fight. My friends, it was a
terrible battle, for they fought until only the
White Wolf and the great Lenape medicine-
103
The White Wolf
man were left alive. They fought a long time
but neither could kill the other.
" 'Well, we are both great Medicine People,
and I see that we cannot harm each other
there is no use fighting any more,' the wolf
told the Lenape.
"Then the Lenape hurried to the camp to tell
the old men and the women and children what
had happened. That is how we know about it.
The great White Wolf ran to his village to pro-
tect the old wolves and the little wolves which
were all that were left of his people.
" 'Well, my friends, as the young 1 Lenapes
and the young wolves grew up they came to
hate each other, so that our people and the
wolves have been at war as long as any of us
can remember. The great white Medicine Wolf
still lives. Many of our warriors have gone
out to kill him, but few came back. Those that
did come back bore many wounds, and finally
went mad like Fighting Elk.
' ' The great White Wolf has again come into
our country. You have heard his cry. Some-
thing has brought him here. It is bad. Much
trouble will come of it. Bad things have al-
ready begun to happen. Tindey has destroyed
the forest. One of our young men has disap-
peared. Our hunters can find no game. I
believe worse things will come upon us. My
heart is heavy. I have finished.'*
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Sky Dog Tells a Story
When Sky Dog ceased speaking the Dela-
wares sat a long time with their heads bowed
in gloomy meditation. An impressive hush set-
tled upon the council lodge. No one spoke.
Even the children understood the peril and
were frightened into silence.
CHAPTER IX
OFF ON A PERILOUS QUEST
THE Delawares went to their lodges with
heavy hearts. The legend recited by Sky Dog
had filled them with superstitious fear. Many
of the old people had heard it before, and they
recalled the great misfortunes which had al-
ways followed the visits of the mysterious white
Medicine Wolf. They prophesied gloomily for
the days to come, and their warnings filled the
people with despair.
"Well, now we know about that strange cry,"
Spotted Deer told Running Fox. ' ' How do you
feel about it?"
"It is bad," Running Fox replied, solemnly.
"Spotted Deer, I believe many bad days will
come upon our people."
For many days Black Panther, the Delaware
war-chief, sent his most expert hunters into
the unburned forest on the opposite side of
the river to search for game. They hunted
faithfully from daylight until dark and Run-
ning Fox and Spotted Deer made several peril-
ous journeys far back into the hills. Their
efforts brought little result, however, for game
106
Off on a Perilous Quest
of all sorts seemed suddenly to have vanished
from the Delaware hunting grounds.
"It is useless, " declared old Sky Dog, the
medicine-man. "Something has turned the
Evil People against us. We must try to find
out what it is. ' '
The superstitious Delawares were quick to
act upon his suggestion. They began to ask one
another who had incurred the displeasure of
the Evil Beings who they believed were afflict-
ing them. The question became the sole topic
of conversation. The most trivial incidents
were recalled, and discussed as possible rea-
sons for the ill-fortune which had fallen upon
the tribe. None of them, however, seemed suf-
ficiently important to have given offense to
Medsit, the Evil One, and his host of savage
followers.
The Delawares were troubled and perplexed.
There was a great difference of opinion.
Some believed that Getanittowit, the Great One,
was displeased with them. Some declared that
it was Mauwallauwin, the Great Hunter. Oth-
ers said that Medsit, the Evil One, was afflicting
them. A few felt certain that it was one of the
lesser Evil Monsters whom they had offended.
They realized, however, that unless they could
agree on the cause of their trouble it would be
impossible to avert the disaster which threat-
ened to overtake them.
107
The White Wolf
Then a new possibility suddenly suggested it-
self. It took form in the imagination of one of
the old men. He suggested it to his friends.
They whispered it to others. It spread from
lodge to lodge. The camp soon rang with it.
At last the Delawares had found an object
for suspicion. It was the famous medicine
trophy which Eunning Fox and Spotted Deer
had captured from their foes, the Mohawks.
The imaginative Delawares suddenly looked
upon it with superstitious fear. They believed
that the great Mohawk chief, Standing Wolf,
the former owner of the medicine trophy, whom
Eunning Fox had killed in battle, in some man-
ner still exercised his power through the agency
of the mysterious medicine bundle.
For many years the Delawares had credited
that famous war-leader with all sorts of super-
natural powers. His success in battle, his im-
munity from injury and death, and his great
physical strength had convinced them that
Standing Wolf was protected by some powerful
Spirit or Medicine Charm. They made many
attempts to learn the secret. A number of
famous Delaware warriors lost their lives on
the quest. Then Eunning Fox and his com-
panion went to the Mohawk camp, and learned
what the Delawares wished to know. In addi-
tion they secured the mysterious medicine
trophy itself, and brought it safely to the Dela-
108
Off on a Perilous Quest
ware camp. Then when Standing Wolf led an
immense war-party against them, Eunning Fox
carried the captured trophy into the thick of
the fight, and not only led his people to their
first victory over the Mohawks, but also fought
and killed the great Mohawk war-chief. From
that moment the Delawares believed that Run-
ning Fox had become possessed of the same
mysterious power which the medicine trophy
had conferred upon Standing Wolf.
Now, however, they turned against it, and
blamed it for their present misfortunes. Hav-
ing once fastened suspicion upon it, they found
little difficulty in persuading themselves that it
was responsible for whatever ill-luck had be-
fallen them since it had been brought to the
camp.
" We must tell Sky Dog about it," they said.
Sky Dog listened gravely as the Delawares
told him of their suspicions against the Mo-
hawk medicine trophy. He saw at once that it
offered him a chance to regain the prestige
which he feared he had lost by his inability to
help his people in the present crisis. He had
looked upon the Mohawk trophy with grave
misgivings ever since it had come to the Dela-
ware village. Like most of his tribesmen, he
had credited the noted Mohawk war-leader with
all sorts of mysterious powers, and he believed
that the great medicine trophy was the source
109
The White Wolf
of them. Although he would not acknowledge,
it to his people, he had long regarded it with
superstitious fear. He longed to see it removed
from the camp, but he was far too wise to give
voice to his desire. He knew that both Black
Panther and his son would take offense at the
suggestion, and he had no wish to incur the dis-
pleasure of the powerful Delaware war-chief.
Now, however, he determined to make the most
of the opportunity which had presented itself.
"Yes, my friends, I believe the mysterious
Mohawk Medicine Bundle has brought all this
trouble upon us/' declared the wily old medi-
cine-man. ' i I have known about it a long time.
I believe that Standing Wolf has something
to do with it. My friends, I have seen that
great chief running through the village when
every one was asleep. Yes, I ran after him, but
he is a Shadow Person, and I could not come
up with him. It is bad. Something must be
done about it. I cannot do anything to help
you while that mysterious Medicine Bundle is
in the camp. I believe it has done great harm.
I believe it has brought the great White Wolf
upon us."
His words strengthened the fears of his
tribesmen. They looked upon him as a power-
ful Medicine Person, whose advice and aid
might still save them from the great calamity
which threatened the tribe. Their one desire,
110
Off on a Perilous Quest
therefore, was to free themselves from the in-
fluence of the mysterious Mohawk medicine
trophy.
' ' How can we put away this strange Medicine
Bundle ? ' ' they inquired anxiously.
"I cannot tell you that," replied the crafty
medicine-man. "It was brought here by Run-
ning Fox, the son of our great chief, Black
Panther. Eunning Fox went through much
danger to get it. It was a brave thing to do.
He feels good about it. Black Panther feels
good about it. My friends, I do not believe
they will give it up. ' *
The Delawares were in a quandary. Their
famous chief, Black Panther, was a man of
great influence and power who commanded the
respect and admiration of his people. They
had no desire to offend him, and they saw no
way of avoiding it if they told him of their fears
concerning the Mohawk medicine trophy.
They knew that he took great pride in the
splendid achievement of his son, and they had
little hope that he would ask Eunning Fox to
surrender his hard-earned war trophy. As for
Eunning Fox himself, they knew only too well
the temper of that fiery young warrior, and
they realized that it would be useless to speak
to him on the subject.
It was not many days, however, before both
Black Panther and Eunning Fox learned of
111
The White Wolf
the suspicions which had fallen upon the medi-
cine trophy. Spotted Deer first heard it, and
promptly told Kunning Fox. Then one of the
old men told Black Panther about it.
"It is bad," Eunning Fox said, gloomily.
"Some one has given our people bad words
about this great thing. I do not believe what
they say about it. ' '
"No, no, it is not true," Spotted Deer de-
clared, fiercely. "That great Medicine Bundle
has helped us to do big things. It has made our
people stronger than the Mohawks. It has
made you a great leader. Kunning Fox, you
must not do away with it. '
"Perhaps these people have told my father
about it," suggested Eunning Fox. "Perhaps
he will ask me to give it up.'
Spotted Deer remained silent. The possi-
bility staggered him. His courage weakened at
the thought of losing the famous trophy. He
wondered if the great Delaware war-chief
would eventually share the superstitious fears
of his people. They were not left long in doubt,
for as they sat at the edge of the camp discuss-
ing the subject Black Panther sent a lad to
summon Eunning Fox to his lodge.
"See, my father has sent for me," Eunning
Fox said, anxiously. "Perhaps something bad
will come of it. My heart is heavy/
Eunning Fox found his father alone in the
112
Off on a Perilous Quest
lodge. Black Panther motioned his son to
seat himself beside him at the fire. Then for
long, anxious moments the stern Delaware chief
gazed silently at the glowing embers. Eunning
Fox waited patiently for him to speak.
1 'My son, I have called you here to tell you
something bad," Black Panther said, solemnly.
"I am listening, my father," Eunning Fox
replied, humbly.
"It is good," declared the war-chief. "My
son, bad days have come upon our people.
Our hunters can find no game. Tindey, the Fire
Monster, has destroyed our hunting grounds.
Lowan, the Cold Time, is almost here. It is
bad. We have no meat. Many of our old peo-
ple will die. Sky Dog has told you about the
mysterious white Medicine Wolf. It has called
about our camp. I believe much harm will come
of it. My son, our people are uneasy. The
old people are frightened. They say that some
Evil Person is working against us. I believe
it is true. Our people have been talking about
it many days. I have heard their words. They
have made my heart heavy. They say that the
great Mohawk Medicine Bundle has brought
these bad days upon us."
"Do you believe it!" Eunning Fox inquired,
anxiously, as his father waited for him to speak.
"No, my son, I do not believe it," replied
Black Panther. "Sky Dog believes it. Many
113
The White Wolf
of our people believe it. It is bad. Our people
say that we must do away with it. They say
that if we keep it in the camp many bad things
will happen to us. They say that the spirit of
the great Mohawk chief, Standing Wolf, is in
that mysterious Medicine Bundle. Yes, they
say that when we are sleeping it comes out and
calls the Evil People. They say we must move
the camp. I believe it is the best thing to do.
We will go down the water, and stay in the
lodges of our brothers, the Minsi. We will hunt
with them, and bring in much meat. We will
live with our brothers until Lowan, the Cold
Time, passes, and Siquon, The-Time-Of-Grow-
ing-Things, comes. Now, my son, I must give
you bad words. Our people say that we must
not take that great Medicine Bundle to the
Minsi village. They say it will bring bad days
to those people. Yes, Sky Dog says that. Per-
haps it is true. I do not know about it. My
heart is heavy. I cannot give you any more
words. "
Running Fox continued silent. The crisis
which he had been dreading was at hand. It
seemed as if his people had turned against him.
He believed they held him responsible for the
ill-fortune which had befallen them. For the
moment it filled him with despair. He felt
crushed and overwhelmed. It seemed as if the
perils and hardships which he and Spotted Deer
114
Off on a Perilous Quest
had undergone had been in vain. He rallied at
the thought. Grief suddenly gave way to
anger. His own faith in the Mohawk medicine
trophy was still unshaken. He believed that he
had become possessed of the same mysterious
powers which had made Standing Wolf famous.
The thought gave him confidence. He deter-
mined to prove the power of the sacred medi-
cine trophy to the suspicious Dela wares. A
great resolution suddenly filled his mind. He
turned to his father with the light of battle
glistening in his eyes. Black Panther was wait-
ing for him to speak.
"My father, I have listened to your words,"
he said, quietly. "Our people have turned
against the great Mohawk Medicine Bundle.
They are foolish. You are a great chief. You
say you do not believe those things. It is
enough. My father, you have seen this strange
Medicine Bundle do big things. You have seen
me carry it in the fight, and drive the Mohawks
through the forest like rabbits. You have seen
me carry it, and kill the great chief Standing
Wolf. Those were great things. Our people
do not remember them. Well, I must do some-
thing bigger. I will do it. I have spoken."
Black Panther showed no inclination to ques-
tion him. He had complete confidence in the
ability of the fearless young warrior, and he
believed that nothing but death would stop him
115
The White Wolf
from redeeming his pledge. The Delaware
chief thrilled with pride as he saw resolute de-
termination expressed in the face of his son.
The night was far spent as Eunning Fox left
the lodge, and hurried through the camp to find
his friend. He found Spotted Deer awaiting
him at a familiar rendezvous outside the vil-
lage. Eunning Fox seemed to be in buoyant
spirits, and Spotted Deer looked at him in sur-
prise.
"Well, my brother, have you heard good
words?" he inquired, hopefully.
"No, Spotted Deer, what I heard was bad,"
replied Eunning Fox.
Then he seated himself beside Spotted Deer,
and related the details of the interview with
his father. Spotted Deer listened with grave
attention.
' ' What are you going to do ? ' ' he asked, when
Eunning Fox finished speaking.
i i Spotted Deer, we brought this sacred Medi-
cine Bundle to our people,' declared Eunning
Fox. "It made them feel good. They gave us
big words. It made them strong. When the
Mohawks came we drove them away. Now they
feel different. They believe that this great
Medicine Bundle has brought bad days upon
them. They believe it has brought the mysteri-
ous white Medicine Wolf. Perhaps their hearts
are bad toward us because we brought this
116
Off on a Perilous Quest
Medicine Thing to the village. Now I am going
to make them feel good about it. I am going to
do something big. I am going to do something
they will talk about a long time. Then they
will know that this great Medicine Bundle is
good. They will see that it gives me power to
do big things. Spotted Deer, when our people
go away to the village of our brothers, the
Minsi, I am going to stay behind. I am going
to keep the great Medicine Bundle with me.
Then I am going away to find the mysterious
white Medicine Wolf. If I find him I will kill
him, and bring his scalp to our people."
Spotted Deer gasped with astonishment. He
could scarcely believe what he had heard. The
boldness of the plan bewildered him. He stood
in great awe of the strange Medicine Creatures
in whom his people believed, and the thought of
defying the powerful white Medicine Wolf filled
him with alarm.
"Running Fox, you are very brave, but it
would be foolish to try to find the great WTiite
Wolf," Spotted Deer declared, earnestly. "He
is a powerful Medicine Creature. He has killed
many of our people. You have heard Sky Dog
tell about it. My brother, if you try to do this
thing I believe you will throw away your life."
"Perhaps what you say is true, but I feel dif-
ferent about it," replied Eunning Fox. "I be-
lieve the great Medicine Bundle will help me.
117
The White Wolf
I must show our people that we have not
brought this trouble upon them. If I kill the
mysterious white Medicine Wolf, then they will
know that the great Medicine Bundle is good.
Spotted Deer, it is in my heart to do this thing,
and I am going ahead with it."
Spotted Deer offered no further objections.
He knew only too well that having once resolved
to embark on the perilous undertaking Running
Fox would not be turned from his purpose.
"My brother, I see that you are going ahead
with this thing," Spotted Deer said, soberly.
"Well, I will not talk any more against it.
Now I will tell you something. You say that
our people have turned against this great Medi-
cine Thing. Well, my brother, I was with you
when you took it away from the Mohawk camp.
Yes, I was with you when you brought it to our
people. You say that you must do this thing
to show our people that we have not brought
these bad days upon them. We have done this
thing together. Well, then I must go with you.
It is the only thing to do. I will not stay be-
hind. If the great White Wolf kills you, then
he must kill me. I have spoken. ' '
"Spotted Deer, your words make my heart
feel big," Eunning Fox declared, feelingly. "I
know that you are not afraid to die, so if you
feel like going with me I will not talk against
it."
118
Off on a Perilous Quest
"It is good," replied Spotted Deer.
The following day at sunset the Delawares
assembled before the council lodge to discuss
the advisability of abandoning the camp, and
moving down the river to the village of their
tribesmen, the Minsi. They agreed that it was
the best thing to do. Then while Eunning Fox
and Spotted Deer listened in great suspense, an
old man named High Bear made a speech
against the Mohawk medicine trophy.
"Delawares, I have something to tell you/
said High Bear. "I have had a dream. It
was bad. I saw Standing Wolf talking to the
mysterious Medicine Bundle. He was talking
bad words against us. My people, I believe that
strange Medicine Thing has brought all this
trouble upon us. Running Fox and Spotted
Deer did a great thing to bring it here, but I
believe it has turned out bad. My friends, we
must get rid of this thing. If we take it to the
Minsi village, I believe we will bring bad days
upon those great people. I have finished."
When the old man finished his talk the Dela-
wares maintained an awkward silence. None
of them appeared willing to endorse his sus-
picions. All eyes were turned expectantly upon
the grim Delaware war-chief. It was evident
that they expected him to defend the trophy
for which his son had risked his life. Black
Panther, however, seemed reluctant to speak.
119
The White Wolf
He waited a long time before lie finally ad-
dressed them.
"My friends, I have listened for your words,
but you will not speak, " he said. "I believe
that many of you believe what High Bear has
told you. I feel different about it. I do not
believe that this great Medicine Bundle has
anything to do with the trouble that has come
upon us. I believe it is good. It has given us
power to defeat the Mohawks, and kill their
great chief Standing Wolf. I believe it would
be foolish to do away with it but if you all feel
different about it I will not talk against you.
Come, my friends, tell me how you feel about
this thing."
A number of warriors responded to his ap-
peal. They declared that they were suspicious
of the Mohawk trophy, and believed it should
be destroyed. The majority of the tribe seemed
of the same opinion. Black Panther looked
searchingly at his son.
"Delawares, I will tell you how I feel about
this thing, " cried Eunning Fox, rising to his
feet. "You all know how this great Medicine
Bundle came here. You all know how it made
us strong to drive away the Mohawks. You
all know how it gave me power to kill the great
chief Standing Wolf. My brothers, do you re-
member these things? No, I do not believe it.
You have listened to foolish words. You have
120
Off on a Perilous Quest
turned against the great Medicine Thing. It
is bad. Now I will tell you what I propose to
do. I will not go with you to our brothers the
Minsi. I will stay behind and keep this myste-
rious Medicine Bundle. I am going to show
you something big. I will not tell you about
it until it comes to pass. I will show you that
this great Medicine Bundle gives me power like
it gave Standing Wolf. I have spoken. "
His words greatly impressed the Delawares.
He had already won their respect and admira-
tion by his remarkable achievements, and they
believed him capable of fulfilling any pledge
he might make. They felt certain, therefore,
that the dauntless young warrior would either
perform some exploit sufficiently important to
restore their confidence in the Mohawk Medi-
cine Bundle, or forfeit his life in the attempt.
It was a remarkable exhibition of his own faith
in the captured medicine trophy, which made a
strong appeal to his people. Indeed, there were
some among them who actually believed that
Eunning Fox had become possessed of some
strange power or medicine which enabled him
to scoff at perils, and accomplish the most diffi-
cult achievements. Having heard his challenge,
therefore, there were none who cared to talk
further against the mysterious Medicine Bun-
dle.
121
The White Wolf
' l Well, my friends, you have heard what Run-
ning Fox has to say about this thing, " said
Black Panther. ' ' Most of you believe that the
great Medicine Bundle has brought the Evil
People upon us. I do not believe it. Those of
you who have been troubled about it may now
rest easy. Running Fox will keep it from you
until he shows you that it is good. I do not
know what he is going to do. He is a good
war-leader. A good war-leader does not tell
what he is about to do. Perhaps he will lose
his life. That would be worse than a Mohawk
arrow through my heart. He is my son, but I
will not hold him back. My friends, I will tell
him to go. It is the only thing to do. Perhaps
some of you believe it was a bad thing to bring
the great Medicine Bundle to our village. Per-
haps some of you feel bad against Running Fox
because he brought it here. Well, he will take
it away. It is good."
The Delawares were quick to recognize a
stinging rebuke in the words of their chief.
They believed that their distrust of the Mohawk
medicine trophy had led him to believe that
they blamed his son for the evils which had
fallen upon them. The thought caused them
great distress. They feared that they had of-
fended and hurt the man who for many years
had devoted his life to the welfare of his peo-
ple.
122
Off on a Perilous Quest
" It is bad. It is bad, ' ' they told one another,
as they left the council-fire.
Two days later the Delawares abandoned
their camp, and set out for the Minsi village.
It was an interesting event. A small company
of picked scouts embarked first, two warriors
in each canoe, and moved cautiously down the
river to watch for foes. Then the old people,
and the women and children entered canoes,
and were paddled away by stalwart warriors.
Small companies of hunters traveled through
the forest on foot in the hope of finding game.
Then followed the chiefs and principal men of
the tribe, accompanied by a strong guard of re-
nowned warriors.
The departure was silent and gloomy, for the
Delawares felt that they had been driven from
the camp, like hungry dogs, to beg food at the
distant lodges of their tribesmen. They looked
with longing eyes at the splendid village with
its great council lodge, its long rows of com-
fortable bark lodges, its strong log palisade for
defense against foes, and the patch of culti-
vated ground which for many seasons had
yielded bountiful crcps of corn, beans and
squashes. They were leaving a place of peace
and security, and risking the hardships and
perils of the wilderness, to offer themselves as
objects for charity before their more fortunate
tribesmen. It filled them with grief. The
123
The White Wolf
women sobbed softly to themselves. The old
men blinked furiously as they felt their aged
eyes grow moist and hot. The grim fighting
men, as usual, concealed their emotions.
Black Panther was the last to depart. Be-
fore he finally stepped into the waiting canoe
he turned to address Kunning Fox and Spotted
Deer, who stood at the edge of the camp, watch-
ing soberly, as their people began the dismal
journey to the Minsi village.
1 ' Kunning Fox, you are my son, ' ' said Black
Panther. ' ' Spotted Deer is your friend. It is
good. I will make Spotted Deer my other son.
Both of you are very brave. You are about to
risk your lives in some great deed. Perhaps I
shall never again see either of you. I will ask
Getanittowit, the Great One, to help you. I
will tell you that I believe the great medicine
trophy is good. I am not against it. I believe
you are doing a good thing. Now I must go
with my people. I will take your hand. '
Each of the lads clasped the hand of the noted
Delaware chief. Neither of them spoke. Black
Panther, too, remained silent. Then, when the
impressive farewell was ended, he entered the
last canoe, and was paddled rapidly down the
river.
CHAPTER X
THE LONE SENTINEL
WHEN the canoe bearing Black Panther
finally disappeared around a turn of the river,
the two lads who had been left behind walked
slowly toward the deserted Delaware camp. As
they passed through the log stockade and en-
tered the lifeless village they suddenly felt
lonely and depressed. They stopped, and
looked sadly about the silent camp with its
abandoned lodges, its dying camp-fires and its
deserted thoroughfares. It seemed dreary and
unfamiliar.
"Our people have gone, everything looks
dead/' declared Eunning Fox.
Spotted Deer nodded in silent assent.
They made their way to the lodge of Black
Panther. Eunning Fox hesitated before the en-
trance. For several moments he seemed re-
luctant to enter. Then he fought back his
emotions, and disappeared through the door-
way. He came out with the famous Mohawk
medicine trophy in his hands.
"See, here is the great Medicine Bundle
which has frightened our people,'' he told
125
The White Wolf
Spotted Deer. ' ' My brother, are you afraid of
it?"
"No, Eunning Fox, I am not afraid of it,"
replied Spotted Deer. "I believe it will help
us to do big things."
"Do you believe it will give us power to kill
the mysterious white Medicine Wolf?" Eun-
ning Fox asked, quickly.
Spotted Deer remained silent. Eunning Fox
looked searchingiy into his face. Spotted Deer
met the challenge without flinching. However,
there was doubt in his eyes, and Eunning Fox
read it.
"My brother, I see that you feel bad about
this thing," he said, quietly.
' ' Eunning Fox, I am thinking about the words
of Sky Dog," replied Spotted Deer. "He is
a great Medicine Person. He has told us that
the great White Wolf is a mysterious Medicine
Creature. Many brave warriors have set out to
kill him. Few of them ever came back. The
White Wolf is still alive. He must be very
strong. ' '
Eunning Fox made no reply. He held the
mysterious Medicine Bundle before him, and
gazed upon it with eager, questioning eyes. It
seemed as if he were challenging its power and
ability to help him. Spotted Deer watched him
in silence. Many moments passed. Then Eun-
126
The Lone Sentinel
ning Fox rose, and carried the Medicine Bundle
into the lodge.
"Well, my brother, there is nothing here to
eat/' Running Fox said, as he returned from
the lodge. "Come, we will go across the water,
and try to find something."
They found an abandoned canoe, and paddled
across the river. They hunted faithfully until
dusk, but only killed a single grouse. Darkness
had already fallen when they finally returned
to the village. They made a fire before the
lodge of Black Panther and broiled the grouse
over the embers.
Then for a long time they sat gazing thought-
fully into the flames. The night was cold and
dark, and a biting northeast wind moaned dis-
mally between the lodges. The sky was black
and threatening, and Lowan, the Cold Monster,
shrieked his challenge through the wilderness.
"I do not like this, it will be hard for our
people/' Running Fox said, soberly.
They knew that the Delaware s were camped
somewhere in the grim black forest, and they
feared that the old people, and the women and
children might suffer from cold and hunger.
The possibility greatly distressed them. They
believed that their people would hold them re-
sponsible for their suffering, and the thought
made them miserable. Running Fox was still
further disturbed by the idea that Spotted Deer
127
The White Wolf
had suddenly lost faith in the power of the
Mohawk medicine trophy. At last he deter-
mined to ask him about it.
" Spotted Deer, I have talked big words, "
said Kunning Fox. "I have set out to do a big
thing. Perhaps it is foolish. Perhaps what
Sky Dog says is true. Perhaps the great Medi-
cine Bundle will turn against me. Perhaps I
shall throw away my life. I believe you feel
bad about this thing. Well, my brother, I will
not ask you to go ahead with it. I will go
alone. "
Spotted Deer looked at him in astonishment.
For some moments the unexpected proposal
seemed to have deprived him of speech. Then
his surprise gave way to anger. His eyes
flashed with the light of battle.
' l Eunning Fox, you are my brother, but your
words are like the arrows of a foe," he replied,
reproachfully. "Do you believe that I am
afraid!"
"No, no, I do not believe it," Eunning Fox
cried, loyally. "I know that you are brave."
"Well, my brother, I like those words,"
Spotted Deer told him. "You have asked me
something which I cannot tell you. I believe
that this great medicine trophy is good. I be-
lieve that it will help us. You ask me if it will
give us power to kill the great White Wolf. I
cannot tell you. I do not know. But I am not
128
The Lone Sentinel
afraid of that great Medicine Creature. No,
no, my brother, I will not turn back. I have set
out to do this thing, and I am going through
with it. I am going with you to find the great
White Wolf. You have heard my words. It is
enough. ' '
1 ' Spotted Deer, you are a brave friend, " Kun-
ning Fox said, warmly.
At that moment they heard something fall,
inside the lodge. Seizing their weapons they
rushed through the doorway and found the
medicine trophy upon the ground. They looked
at it in silence. They feared it was a bad omen.
Running Fox finally picked it up, and carefully
examined it. Then he hung it on its tripod of
poles, and they returned to the fire.
"Perhaps it was Standing Wolf," Spotted
Deer said, softly. "Sky Dog says he has seen
him running through the camp. Perhaps he has
come out of that strange Medicine Bundle."
"No, I do not believe it," declared Running
Fox. "I do not know how it came to fall down,
but I do not believe Standing Wolf had any-
thing to do with it."
Then they heard the mysterious cry in the
north. It came to them on the gale, and it
sounded indistinct and far away. They listened
uneasily as it echoed through the night. It
filled their minds with the story which Sky Dog
had told. They wondered if they, too, would
129
The White Wolf
share the fate of the unfortunate warrior Fight-
ing Elk, and the other brave Delawares who
had recklessly answered the challenge.
"Perhaps Standing Wolf has called him,"
suggested Spotted Deer.
"Well, he is far away," replied Running
Fox. "I do not believe he will come any nearer
before it grows light. Then we will be watch-
ing for him. Now I am going to do something.
Sky Dog says that Standing Wolf is a Shadow
Person. Sky Dog says his spirit is in this great
Medicine Bundle. Sky Dog says it comes out
when it is dark. Well, I am not afraid. I am
going to find out about it.'
Eunning Fox rose, and entered the lodge.
He asked Spotted Deer to follow him. Then
he took down the medicine trophy, and care-
fully examined the buckskin thongs with which
it was bound.
"See," he said. "Everything is tight.
Nothing can come out or go in without moving
these things. Well, I am going to keep this
thing with me until the light comes. If the
spirit of Standing Wolf came out it cannot get
back. Now I will know about it. '
Eunning Fox placed the Mohawk medicine
trophy inside of his buckskin shirt, and spread
his robe in his accustomed place at the side of
the lodge. Spotted Deer looked upon him with
admiring eyes. Then he, too, prepared his robe
130
The Lone Sentinel
for the night. In a short time both were sleep-
ing soundly.
When they awakened at daylight, Eunning
Fox immediately drew forth the Mohawk medi-
cine trophy. He examined it with great care.
The bindings were intact. He passed it to
Spotted Deer.
"See," said Kunning Fox. "Everything is
tight. Nothing came out. Nothing went in. ' '
Spotted Deer spent some time examining the
wrappings of the Medicine Bundle. He saw
nothing to indicate that they had been molested.
He finally returned it to Eunning Fox.
"Yes, my brother, I see that everything is
tight/' he said.
"Well, do you believe that the spirit of
Standing Wolf came out of it!" Eunning Fox
inquired.
"I do not know," replied Spotted Deer.
"Standing Wolf is a Shadow Person. Those
mysterious people can do many wonderful
things."
Eunning Fox hung the medicine trophy in its
proper place, and remained silent. He saw that
Spotted Deer was filled with a great dread of
the mysterious Medicine Creatures, and he de-
termined to say nothing further about them. In
fact, Eunning Fox himself inherited all the
superstitious fears of his people concerning
these strange creatures, but he also believed
131
The White Wolf
that the great medicine trophy had given him
power to resist them.
When the lads came from the lodge a few
moments later they found that Lowan, the Cold
Monster, had suddenly taken possession of the
earth. The air was sharp and biting, and a
light fall of snow had fallen during the night.
"Hi, Lowan has spread his robe upon the
ground," cried Running Fox. "Now we must
hurry away, and look for tracks."
When they reached the river they found the
shores crusted with ice, and they realized that
the long season of cold was at hand. They knew
that it would make their task doubly difficult,
and that many days of hardship and privation
were before them. Under any other circum-
stances they would have considered it the
height of folly to venture forth upon such an
expedition at that season. However, they felt
that it was their duty to clear themselves of
the suspicion which had fallen upon them, with-
out delay, and for that reason they were willing
to make the sacrifice. Besides, they knew that
it was only at that season that the mysterious
white Medicine Wolf appeared in their country,
and if they hoped to find and overcome him they
must go to hunt him at that time.
They were about to enter the canoe when
Running Fox suddenly hissed a warning. As
Spotted Deer turned toward him, Running Fox
132
The Lone Sentinel
pointed up the river. A deer was swimming
toward the opposite shore. It was a buck, and
only its nose and horns showed above the water,
for it had seen the Delawares, and was trying
to conceal itself.
"Hi, Mauwallauwin has taken pity on us, M
cried Sunning Fox. "It is a good sign."
They hurried into the canoe, and started in
pursuit of their game. The deer was almost
halfway across the river, and the Delawares
paddled furiously to overtake it. Aware that
it was being pursued, the buck was putting all
its strength into its efforts, and the hunters
gained slowly.
"Achtu is a fast swimmer, we must hurry, "
warned Running Fox.
They forced themselves to still greater exer-
tions, and the canoe swept forward at tremen-
dous speed. The distance between the game
and the hunters grew steadily less with each
stroke of the paddle. At last they came within
bow-shot. They withheld their arrows, how-
ever, for the buck had sunk still lower in the
water, and only the tip of its nose and part of
its horns were exposed.
"Wait until he leaves the water, " advised
Eunning Fox.
"Yes, yes, it is the only chance, " agreed
Spotted Deer.
The buck had covered three quarters of the
133
The White Wolf
distance across the river, and the Delawares
tried to get as close as possible. When the deer
finally floundered into shallow water they were
within a canoe length of it. Then, as the fright-
ened creature sprang toward the shore, the
hunters shot their arrows. Both struck the
buck behind the shoulder. For an instant only
the deer wavered, and then it bounded up the
bank and disappeared into the timber.
4 ' Hurry ! Hurry ! ' ' cried Eunning Fox, as he
drove the canoe recklessly upon the shore.
They leaped into the shallow water, and
scrambled furiously up the bushy bank. The
trail was marked with blood, and they believed
that the buck had been fatally wounded.
Within an arrow-flight they found it lying dead.
1 i It is good ! It is good ! ' ' Running Fox cried,
joyfully. * * Getanittowit has heard our words.
Mauwallauwin has sent us meat for our jour-
ney.''
"Hi, Hi, look here!" Spotted Deer called,
excitedly.
He had advanced a short distance farther into
the woods, and was crouching and closely scan-
ning the ground. When Eunning Fox hurried
to his side he saw fresh moccasin tracks leading
away from the river. For some moments the
lads stared at them in silence. Then they rose,
and looked anxiously into the woods.
134
The Lone Sentinel
''Come, we must find out about this thing,"
Eunning Fox said, cautiously.
He turned, and followed the trail toward the
river. The tracks led the other way, but the
crafty young Delaware first wished to learn
where the trail began. It ended within several
bow-lengths of the water, and the sharp-eyed
young scouts soon discovered evidence which
led them to believe that the mysterious prowler
had passed the night at that spot. Where he
had come from they had no way of learning,
for the light fall of snow had obliterated the old
trail, and registered the new.
"My brother, I believe that man is a scout,"
said Eunning Fox. "I believe he hid here to
watch our camp. It is bad.'
"Perhaps he followed our people down the
river,' suggested Spotted Deer.
"Perhaps," replied Eunning Fox. "Well,
we must try to find out where he has gone.
Come, we will take the buck to the village, and
then we will come back here and try to find out
about this thing."
"Perhaps that person is watching us," said
Spotted Deer.
"Yes, that may be true," agreed Ennning
Fox. "We must be cautious."
They dragged the buck to the canoe, and
paddled rapidly to the Delaware camp. Then,
after they had concealed the deer in one of
135
The White Wolf
the lodges, they again crossed the river to fol-
low the trail of the unknown prowler. They ap-
proached the shore with great caution, how-
ever, for they feared that they might blunder
into an ambush.
"See, the white robe is going away, we must
hurry," said Kunning Fox.
The light snow was melting fast, and they
realized that it would soon be gone. They hur-
ried along the trail, hoping to learn as much
as possible about the daring scout, who had ven-
tured into their territory, before his tracks
melted out. The trail led away from the water
for an arrow-flight or more, and then it turned
and continued toward the north.
"Perhaps this warrior is one of the people
who sent Tindey into our hunting grounds, "
said Spotted Deer.
"Perhaps," Running Fox replied, savagely.
They had not gone far before the trail again
turned toward the river. It ended at the edge
of the water. Eunning Fox nodded understand-
ingly at Spotted Deer.
"That person has gone away in a canoe,'
he said. l ' He was very sly. He must be a scout.
I believe he came here to find out about our
people. See, he left his canoe in those bushes.
Then he crept down through the woods, like
Woakus, the fox. When he could see into the
camp he stopped to watch. Perhaps he saw
136
The Lone Sentinel
our people go away. Anyway I believe; he
knows that they have gone. Spotted Deer, I
believe something bad will come of this."
"It is mysterious, " declared Spotted Wolf.
Then, as they realized that for the present
there was no way of learning anything more
about the stranger, they returned to the Dela-
ware camp to prepare for the journey which
they hoped to begin the following day. They
spent the rest of the day drying deer-meat over
a fire.
"We will have meat for many days," said
Eunning Fox. "We will not have to look for
game. We can travel fast. It is good. ' '
At twilight the crafty young scouts lighted a
number of large fires in various parts of the
camp. They hoped any of their foes who might
steal down the river under cover of the dark-
ness would see the light, and believe that the
Delawares were still in possession of the vil-
lage. Then, as a further precaution against at-
tack, the lads took turns at watching beside the
water. However, they neither heard nor saw
anything to arouse their suspicions. Even the
mysterious cry from the north was stilled, and
they considered it a good omen.
"See, Mauwallauwin has sent us plenty of
meat. Getanittowit has kept away our enemies.
It is good," declared Eunning Fox.
At daylight they set out upon the long, peril-
137
The White Wolf
ous journey into the north. They left the vil-
lage in gloomy silence, for they realized that
they might never return. The fate of Fighting
Elk and his unfortunate companions filled
their minds. Once at the edge of the river,
however, they rallied their courage, and drove
the words of old Sky Dog from their thoughts.
They realized that the time for doubt and un-
certainty had passed, and that if they hoped
successfully to accomplish the great undertak-
ing upon which they were embarking they must
banish the slightest hint of uncertainty and
fear.
' ' Well, my brother, we are setting out to do a
big thing, " Eunning Fox said, lightly. "I be-
lieve we will go through with it. '
"We are Lenapes," replied Spotted Deer.
"We will not turn back until we find the myste-
rious white Medicine Wolf."
"Those are good words," Kunning Fox de-
clared, earnestly.
They had planned to use the canoe for the
first day or so of their journey, but having
found the fresh trail on the opposite side of the
river they decided that it would be safer to
travel on foot. They feared that a company of
their enemies might be somewhere in the vicin-
ity, and they believed it would be folly to expose
themselves in full view on the river.
"We must keep in the woods," said Running
138
The Lone Sentinel
Fox. ' ' Perhaps the Mohawks are watching the
water."
"Yes, I believe it is the best thing to do,"
replied Spotted Deer. "But we must watch
out for that scout. ' '
After they had crossed the river they con-
cealed the canoe, and set out through the forest.
They realized that winter was upon them, and
they were prepared for cold weather. Their
dress consisted of light doeskin breeches
fastened about the waist with a raw-hide belt,
a heavy buckskin shirt, high buckskin mocca-
sins, beaver skin hats, and mittens made of
muskrat pelts. They carried light, warm robes
of rabbit skins, their snowshoes, bows and ar-
rows, flint knives, fire-drills, and sufficient dried
meat to supply them for many days.
The light snowfall of the previous day had
entirely disappeared, but the ground was white
with a heavy frost as the lads set out on their
journey. They kept close to the water, for they
believed that if their enemies were loitering in
the locality they would be quite sure to find
some evidence of them along the river. They
watched carefully throughout the day, but saw
nothing to arouse their suspicions. They felt
quite certain, however, that the unknown scout
was somewhere in the vicinity, and they ad-
vanced with great caution. Then, as the day
finally drew to a close, and the light slowly
139
The White Wolf
faded from the forest, they looked anxiously
along the river for traces of smoke, or the tell-
tale gleam of a camp-fire. Failing to discover
either of those clews before darkness fell, they
determined to stop for the night in a heavy
growth of pines, close beside the river.
Fearing that a fire might betray them to their
foes, the Delawares seated themselves at the
edge of the water to watch and listen. They
believed that if enemies had planned to invade
the Delaware camp they would be quite sure to
move down the river under protection of the
darkness. They heard nothing, however, to
verify their fears.
Then, when the night was half gone, they
again heard the ominous challenge from the
north. It seemed considerably nearer, and
there was a strange haunting fierceness about
it which lingered in their ears long after the
call itself had died away. It was some time be-
fore either of them spoke. Their minds were
filled with thoughts of Fighting Elk and the
other Delawares who had been lured to their
deaths by the same weird call.
"It is nearer," Spotted Deer said, soberly.
"Perhaps the strange White Wolf is coming to
meet us."
"We are ready," Running Fox replied,
grimly.
The night passed without adventure, how-
140
The Lone Sentinel
ever, and at daylight they resumed their jour-
ney along the river. They saw little evidence
of game. The great unburned area of forest
through which they traveled seemed as devoid
of life as the desolate, fire-scorched waste on
the other side of the water. A belated flock of
ducks and a solitary squirrel were the only
living things they encountered. It seemed as
if they were moving through a land of the dead,
and the thought oppressed them.
At the end of the day, however, they saw
something which instantly roused their droop-
ing spirits. As they suddenly turned a bend of
the river they discovered a solitary sentinel
standing boldly outlined on a rocky cliff above
the water. He was looking up the river, and
as the Delawares were sheltered in the woods
they had little fear of being seen.
"Hi, there is the mysterious scout, " whis-
pered Spotted Deer.
" Perhaps," Kunning Fox replied, cautiously.
The stranger was well beyond bow-shot, and
the Delawares studied him closely. However,
it was difficult to identify him. Spotted Deer
thought he was a Mohawk, but Running Fox
was in doubt.
"No, my brother, I do not believe that war-
rior is a Mohawk," he said, finally.
In the meantime the warrior had turned, and
was looking steadily down the river. He held
141
The White Wolf
his bow, and they saw a case of arrows upon
his back. The Delawares noted, however, that
he had no robe. They believed that he had left
it in his canoe, which he had probably concealed
somewhere at the base of the cliff. Still, they
were at a loss to explain why he had exposed
himself so recklessly on that prominent land-
mark. Before they could come to a decision he
suddenly withdrew from sight.
"Now we must watch the water," said Sun-
ning Fox.
They watched a long time, expecting each mo-
ment to see him appear upon the river in his
canoe. Then when he failed to show himself
they became perplexed. However, as the sun
had already set, and the somber evening shad-
ows were reaching across the water, the Dela-
wares finally decided that the stranger
intended to spend the night where he was.
4 ' Perhaps when it grows dark we can creep
up there, and find out who he is," proposed
Spotted Deer.
"Yes, I believe it would be a good thing to
do," agreed Eunning Fox.
CHAPTER XI
A HOSTILE CAMP
THE Delawares waited until the night was
well advanced, and then they set out on their
perilous reconnaissance. They approached the
cliff with great caution, for they believed that
the unknown scout and perhaps a company of
his tribesmen were encamped somewhere in the
vicinity. They kept a sharp watch for the glow
of a camp-fire, and listened anxiously for the
sound of voices.
"Now we must watch sharp," Running Fox
whispered, when they finally reached the top of
the cliff.
The spot where they had seen the lone sen-
tinel was still an arrow-flight or more ahead of
them, and they approached it as noiselessly as
shadows. Then they were suddenly halted by
the cry of the great horned owl. It sounded a
short distance to the westward, and there was
something about it which made the Delawares
suspicious.
"It is a signal," whispered Spotted Deer.
"Allapi, allapi, listen, listen," Running Fox
cautioned him.
143
The White Wolf
A moment later they heard an answer within
bow-shot of them. It set their hearts beating
wildly, for they realized that the mysterious
scout was somewhere within sound of their
voices. They stood as motionless as statues,
fearing even to whisper. Then they thought
they heard something passing stealthily
through the undergrowth. They fitted arrows
to their bows, and peered anxiously into the
darkness. The sound, however, had ceased.
"He has gone," whispered Spotted Deer.
"We must follow him," said Running Fox.
They moved cautiously in the direction from
which they had heard the owl call. They had
little doubt that a company of their foes were
camped somewhere in the vicinity, and they
hoped to locate them by the flare of their fire.
Then Spotted Deer suggested that the strangers
might have feared to make a fire.
1 i Then we must listen for their words, ' ' said
Eunning Fox.
The lads advanced through the silent black
forest with the skill and caution of veterans.
They knew that they were risking capture and
death, and they determined to take every pre-
caution. After a short, stealthy advance they
stopped, and spent many moments watching
and listening. Then they again stole forward
through the night. They continued these ma-
neuvers until they had gone a considerable dis-
144
A Hostile Camp
tance from the river. Then, as they neither
heard nor saw anything of their foes, they were
somewhat doubtful as to just what to do.
' ' That signal was not so far away, ' ' declared
Spotted Deer.
"We have come too far," agreed Eunning
Fox. "We must circle back, and see what we
can find."
They scouted tirelessly until the first signs
of dawn showed in the east. Then they hurried
back to the river. They had failed to discover
anything of their foes, and they were discour-
aged and perplexed.
"Perhaps that scout went away in his canoe
when it was dark," suggested Spotted Deer.
"Yes, that may be true," replied Running
Fox.
However, they determined to remain, and
watch the cliff. Soon after sunrise they were
rewarded by seeing two warriors standing on
the spot where they had seen the scout the pre-
vious day. This time the Delawares had con-
cealed themselves nearer the cliff, and they
were able to identify their enemies with little
difficulty.
"Shawnees," said Eunning Fox.
"Yes, yes, I see who they are," Spotted Deer
replied, excitedly. "They must be the people
who sent Tindey against us. Come, my brother,
we will creep up there, and try to kill them."
145
The White Wolf
1 ' Wait, ' ' counseled Running Fox. ' ' They are
watching for something. It would he hard to
catch them. We will stay here, and find out
what they are waiting for. Perhaps there is a
war-party somewhere along the water. We
must find out about it before we go ahead. 7 '
" You speak good words, " Spotted Deer told
him.
The Shawnees were keeping a sharp watch
up the river, and it was evident that they were
expecting either friends or foes. However, as
they made no attempt to conceal themselves, it
appeared more probable that they were await-
ing the arrival of some of their tribesmen. The
Delawares, therefore, watched the river with
great interest.
Shortly after midday two canoes appeared
around a long wooded arm of the shore. Each
canoe held three Shawnee warriors. The scouts
on the cliff hurried down to the edge of the
water to meet them. As the canoes came nearer
the Delawares noted that one floated low down
in the water, and they believed that it was
loaded with game. When the canoes were
driven upon the shore, they saw that they had
guessed correctly, for the Shawnees lifted the
four quarters of what appeared to be a very
large buck or an elk.
"The Shawnees have come a long ways for
meat," Eunning Fox said, bitterly. "If our
146
A Hostile Camp
friends were here we would soon be eating that
meat."
In the meantime the Shawnees were engaged
in earnest conversation at the edge of the water.
One of the scouts who had been on the cliff was
talking excitedly, and pointing across the river.
His companions seemed greatly impressed by
his story. It was not long before his gestures
led the Delawares to believe that he was re-
lating the details of some desperate encounter
in which he had recently participated.
"That warrior is telling something big," de-
clared Spotted Deer.
"The Shawnees talk like old women, " Run-
ning Fox replied, scornfully.
A few moments later the Shawnees concealed
the canoes in the bushes, and disappeared into
the woods. The Delawares smiled at each other
in boyish glee.
"If they leave those canoes there until it
grows dark we will creep up and take them
away," chuckled Spotted Deer.
"Yes, these people have made war upon us,
and we must show them that we are not afraid
of them," declared Eunning Fox. "But first
we must try to find out something about them.
Come, we will follow them."
The Shawnees apparently had little fear of
enemies, for they left an easy trail. The Dela-
wares followed it without difficulty. It was not
147
The White Wolf
long before they came within sound of their
foes. The Shawnees were talking in loud tones,
and the cautious young Delawares held them
in contempt.
" Those old women are making a great
noise," laughed Running Fox.
"They are very foolish, " replied Spotted
Deer.
The Delawares noted that the Shawnees were
turning farther toward the south than they
themselves had gone on the previous night when
they searched for the camp. They understood,
therefore, why they had failed to locate it.
They had little doubt that they would find a big
company of Shawnee hunters assembled at the
rendezvous. They also felt certain that these
people were the treacherous foes who had de-
stroyed their hunting grounds, and driven their
people into exile. The thought filled them with
rage, and they hurried after the Shawnees,
hoping for a chance to avenge the injury.
Then they smelled smoke, and a few moments
afterwards they heard people shouting. They
knew that the hunters were approaching the
camp. The thought warned them of their peril,
and they advanced more cautiously.
"We must watch out," said Eunning Fox.
The next moment they found themselves
within bow-shot of the camp. It was hidden
away in a grove of hemlocks, but the Delawares
148
A Hostile Gamp
heard the crackle of the fire, and the voices of
their foes. They immediately stopped, and
looked about them with alarm. They had not
intended to approach so near, and they were
greatly disturbed to find themselves almost
within sight of their enemies.
"It is bad we are too close, " whispered
Eunning Fox.
Spotted Deer was about to caution a retreat,
when they heard several Shawnees coming di-
rectly toward them. Their first impulse was to
conceal themselves behind trees, and attack
their foes from ambush. On second thought,
however, they realized that even if they should
disable or kill those warriors, the sounds of the
attack would be quite sure to bring the entire
company upon them. They decided, therefore,
that the wisest plan would be to avoid an en-
counter. They concealed themselves, and
waited anxiously for their enemies to pass.
Then the Shawnees appeared. There were
four, and they were unarmed, and entirely at
the mercy of the Delawares. Spotted Deer
drew an arrow from his quiver, and looked at
Eunning Fox. The latter shook his head, and
Spotted Deer overcame the temptation. They
knew that the Shawnees were not going far
from camp without weapons, and they watched
for them to return. It was not long before they
149
The White Wolf
heard them coming back. They passed within
a bow-length of the concealed Delawares.
" There must be something over there,'
Spotted Deer whispered, after the Shawnees
had disappeared into the timber.
"Come, we will go and see what it is," re-
plied Running Fox.
They stole carefully in the direction from
which the Shawnees had returned, and soon
found a splendid spring bubbling up in a little
pool at the base of a giant pine. They realized,
however, that it would be fatal to loiter at that
spot.
"We must move away from here," said Run-
ning Fox.
They decided that it would be folly to at-
tempt to reconnoiter the camp before dark, and
they determined to conceal themselves some-
where in the vicinity, and wait for nightfall.
Spotted Deer suggested that it might be safer
to return to the river, but Running Fox thought
otherwise.
"No, my brother, it would be foolish," he
said. "Perhaps the Shawnees will go away
from here before it grows dark. We must stay
here and watch them."
"Yes, I see that it is the best thing to do,"
replied Spotted Deer.
CHAPTER XII
THE UNKNOWN CAPTIVE
As soon as it was sufficiently dark the Dela*
wares advanced upon the Shawnee camp.
They saw the glow from the fire while they were
many arrow-flights away, and they marveled at
the Shawnees* lack of caution. They could
scarcely believe that experienced warriors
would dare to be so bold in the domains of their
enemies. Then the truth suddenly flashed into
their minds.
"The Shawnees know that our people have
gone away," said Running Fox.
"Hi, now I know why they are so brave,"
replied Spotted Deer.
"Perhaps we will fool them," Running Fox
told him.
The confidence of these foes who had devas-
tated the Delaware hunting grounds, and
brought so much trouble and discomfort upon
the tribe, filled the lads with anger. Their
hearts burned with a fierce desire for revenge.
They felt that it was their duty to wipe out the
insult to their people.
When they finally came within easy bow-
151
The White Wolf
range of the camp, the Delawares stopped to
listen. Again they heard the crackle of the fire,
and the loud reckless talking of the Shawnees.
From the sounds it appeared that the company
was composed of many warriors. Then, as the
way seemed clear, the daring young scouts
moved still nearer their foes.
"I see them," whispered Running Fox, after
they had gone a short distance farther.
"Yes, I see them," Spotted Deer replied, a
moment later.
They were still too far away, however, to see
more than a few shadowy forms passing back
and forth between the trees. They had no
thought of being content with that unsatisfac-
tory reconnaissance. Waiting a moment or so
to make sure that they were in no immediate
danger, they advanced directly toward the fire.
They did not stop until they were almost at the
edge of the circle of light which surrounded the
camp. Then, standing close behind the trunk
of a large hemlock, they gazed upon their foes.
They counted sixteen Shawnee warriors sitting
or standing about the fire. Most of them were
roasting meat. It was apparent that they were
a company of hunters.
"See, there is a warrior over there, lying
down under his robe," whispered Spotted Deer.
"He does not move. Perhaps something bad
has happened to him."
152
The Unknown Captive
' * I am watching him, ' ' replied Kunning Fox.
The warrior whom they had suddenly discov-
ered was lying some distance from the others,
with his back toward the fire. Only the top
of his head showed from beneath his robe. He
was motionless, and apparently asleep. The
Shawnees about the fire took no notice of him.
"Perhaps he is a scout, " said Spotted Deer.
The Delawares knew from experience that
very often when a warrior was engaged in some
perilous undertaking he would pass several
days without sleep. Then when his mission was
ended he would rejoin his tribesmen, and fall
into a heavy slumber from which no one would
think of rousing him until he finally awakened.
They believed that the warrior huddled be-
neath the robe was a scout wrapped in the
heavy sleep of utter exhaustion.
Then they witnessed an incident which en-
tirely changed their opinion. One of the
Shawnees who had finished eating suddenly
turned, and hurled a bone at the man beneath
the robe. It struck him between the shoulders,
but he gave no sign that he felt it. The
Shawnees laughed boisterously. The Dela-
wares regarded the proceeding with astonish-
ment. Among their own people the act would
have been considered a deadly insult, an in-
sinuation that the victim of it was regarded on
an equality with the camp dogs, which invari-
153
The White Wolf
ably received the remnants from the feasts. No
one would have thought of employing such an
affront as a jest upon a friend or even a tribes-
man. Such a breach of loyalty would have led
to an immediate challenge, and a fight to the
death. The Shawnees, however, seemed to at-
tach no importance to the incident.
Then the Delawares guessed the truth. The
huddled figure in the robe was not a friend, not
even a tribesman of the warrior who had
offered the insult. He was an enemy a pris-
oner whom the Shawnees were taking to their
village for the grim ceremony at the torture
stake. The Delawares looked upon the unfor-
tunate captive with new interest. They had
been too thoroughly trained in the stern art of
war to feel any real sympathy for the stranger,
but they were curious to learn his identity.
"Perhaps he is a Mohawk, " suggested
Spotted Deer.
"Then the Shawnees have done a good
thing/ 7 Kunning Fox declared, coldly.
In the meantime two of the Shawnees had
left the fire, and were moving slowly toward
the man beneath the robe. The Delawares
watched closely. The Shawnees stopped be-
side the captive, and began to taunt, and laugh
at him. Then, as he took no notice of them,
one of them kicked him in the side. Boused
to fury, the prisoner raised himself to a sitting
154
The Unknown Captive
posture, and the Delawares saw that his hands
and feet were tightly bound. The next moment
he twisted about to confront his captors, and
the Delawares saw his face. They gasped with
astonishment.
"It is Dancing Owl!" said Spotted Deer.
"Yes, it is Dancing Owl," replied Eunning
Fox.
It was the young Delaware warrior who had
failed to return from the autumn hunt. As his
tribesmen looked upon him they realized that
their suspicions against the Slmwnees were
verified. They now were sure that it was those
crafty foes who had invaded their territory and
destroyed their hunting grounds. The thought
roused their fighting blood. For a moment they
were tempted to rush impulsively upon their
enemies. The next instant they realized the
folly of such a plan. As they were outnumbered
by eight to one, they knew that it would be fatal
to fight against such odds. Besides, they feared
that if they attacked the Shawnees the latter
would immediately kill the prisoner.
"No, it would be foolish to fight," declared
Eunning Fox. "We must try to help Dancing
Owl."
"Yes, we must get him out of this trouble,"
agreed Spotted Deer.
They knew that the task would be difficult
and perilous. Still they had no thought of
155
The White Wolf
wavering. Eunning Fox particularly felt that
it was his duty to rescue the gallant young
tribesman who had joined his hunting party.
He recalled the agony in the eyes of the frantic
mother who had asked word of her son, and he
rejoiced at the opportunity to transform her
grief into joy. For the moment, however, he
was at a loss as to just how to proceed.
"Well, we must let Dancing Owl know that
we are here," he said, finally.
' ' That will be a hard thing to do," Spotted
Deer replied, doubtfully. "The Shawnees are
sharp. We must be cautious."
"We will fool them," Kunning Fox declared,
confidently.
At that moment, however, their thoughts
were diverted by a sudden attack upon Dancing
Owl. Enraged by the sullen defiance of the
youthful prisoner, one of the Shawnees stooped
and struck him a violent blow in the face. Danc-
ing Owl fell backwards, but instantly struggled
to a sitting posture. Then he attempted to
rise upon his feet, but the Shawnee again
struck him to the earth. This time he lay still,
and the Shawnees laughed mockingly.
In the meantime the Delawares had fitted
arrows to their bows, and were aiming them at
the warriors who stood above Dancing Owl.
Then, when the bow-strings were already
156
The Unknown Captive
drawn taut, they suddenly realized what they
were about to do.
"Stop!" commanded Running Fox, as he
lowered his bow.
Spotted Deer hesitated. His face was dark
with anger, and his eyes flashed dangerously.
Running Fox reached out and grasped the hand
which held the arrow. For an instant Spotted
Deer rebelled.
"Are we women?" he demanded, fiercely.
"My brother, those are foolish words," Run-
ning Fox said, calmly. "We must help Danc-
ing Owl. There is only one way to do that.
We must fool the Shawnees. If we try to kill
them before we get Dancing Owl away we will
throw away his life. When we carry him off,
then we will fight them. I am the leader. I
have spoken. My brother, you must listen to
my words. ' '
"I will listen," agreed Spotted Deer.
"It is good,' replied Running Fox. "Now
I will tell you what I am going to do. First
I am going to let Dancing Owl know that we are
here."
"How will you do that?" Spotted Deer
asked, anxiously.
"Wait here, and listen," said Running Fox.
The next moment he vanished into the night.
He had disappeared as silently as a shadow,
and Spotted Deer was at a loss to know which
157
The White Wolf
way he had gone. He stared anxiously into
the darkness, and strained his ears to catch the
slightest clew. Running Fox, however, was
moving as carefully and as quietly as Nianque,
the lynx, and Spotted Deer failed to hear him.
In the meantime the Shawnees had ceased to
ahuse the prisoner, and Spotted Deer felt
greatly relieved. Then, as Dancing Owl re-
mained strangely quiet, in the position in which
he had fallen, Spotted Deer wondered if the
blow from the Shawnee had rendered him un-
conscious. The possibility alarmed him, for
he knew that under those circumstances Run-
ning Fox would be risking himself in vain.
Then he suddenly realized that Dancing Owl
might be employing a clever ruse to avoid fur-
ther attacks from his foes.
"Perhaps he is fooling them,' Spotted Deer
told himself.
He crouched in the shadows, as alert and cau-
tious as a panther watching its prey. He had
no idea how Running Fox planned to warn
Dancing Owl, but he was prepared for any
emergency.
"Pretty soon I will know about it,' ' he kept
telling himself.
It seemed a long time before his expectations
were realized. Then he heard the call of Gok-
hos, the barred owl, close beside the camp. He
believed it was a signal. However, as it seemed
158
The Unknown Captive
to come from the top of a tree, and sounded
perfectly natural Spotted Deer was perplexed.
He kept sharp watch on the Shawnees. They
had ceased talking, and appeared to be listen-
ing closely. Then he turned his eyes upon
Dancing Owl. The latter, however, showed no
interest.
A short interval of silence followed, and then
the call was repeated. Spotted Deer watched
the Shawnees in great suspense. They appar-
ently found nothing suspicious about the cry,
for they resumed conversation and showed no
desire to investigate. Spotted Deer, however,
was still in doubt.
When he finally heard the call the third time
it seemed considerably farther away, and he
feared that it really had come from the great
night bird itself. However, it had barely be-
gun before it ended abruptly as if the bird
had suddenly been frightened. Spotted Deer
nodded understandingly. He had recognized it
as the rallying signal which the Delawares had
agreed upon when they separated to search for
game.
"Yes, it is Eunning Fox," he whispered.
The Shawnees, however, seemed to find noth-
ing suspicious in the sudden interruption. In
fact, one of the warriors about the fire called
out a crude imitation of the cry, as if to lure
the bird back to the vicinity of the camp.
159
The White Wolf
Spotted Deer turned his attention upon Danc-
ing OwL If that unfortunate young warrior
had heard the signal he was far too crafty to
give the slightest hint to his foes. He appeared
to be either unconscious or wrapped in heavy
slumber, and the Shawnees took little notice of
him.
Spotted Deer thrilled with pride as he real-
ized how completely Running Fox had fooled
the Shawnees. The fact that he, too, had been
deceived by the clever imitation only increased
his respect for the cleverness of his friend.
He knew that Eunning Fox had carefully low-
ered his voice the last time to deceive the Shaw-
nees into believing that the owl had discovered
their fire and withdrawn from the vicinity of
the camp.
"Running Fox is as sly as Woakus, the fox,"
he said.
At that moment Running Fox appeared be-
side him.
CHAPTER
A DABING KESCUB
RUNNING Fox listened eagerly while Spotted
Deer related all that had happened during his
absence. His heart filled with rage as he heard
of the attack upon Dancing Owl. However, his
anger was somewhat appeased by the satisfac-
tion which he felt at outwitting the Shawnees.
Still, he wondered if the ruse really had been
successful. He looked anxiously at Dancing
Owl. Had he understood the signal? Running
Fox would have given much to know.
"Did you watch sharp for a sign?" he asked
Spotted Deer.
" Yes, I kept watching, but he did not move,"
Spotted Deer told him.
6 1 It is bad," declared Running Fox.
Dancing Owl lay as one dead. The Dela-
wares were unable to guess whether he really
was insensible or only feigning. The Shaw-
nees took little notice of him. It was apparent
that they considered it impossible for him to
escape. However, when they finally prepared
to sleep, one of them went over to the prisoner,
and shook him roughly. Dancing Owl appar-
161
The White Wolf
ently opened his eyes, for the Shawnee mo-
tioned for him to roll toward the group of war-
riors who had already spread their robes near
the fire. When Dancing Owl showed no inten-
tion of obeying the command, the Shawnee
seized him, and dragged him into the center of
the company.
"Now we cannot help him," Spotted Deer
said, gloomily.
" We must wait and watch," Running Fox de-
clared, doggedly.
Aware that it would be folly to attempt to
rescue Dancing Owl from his present position,
the Delawares determined to take turns at
watching until daylight. While one remained
on guard, therefore, the other slept.
"See, the Shawnees are going away!"
Spotted Deer said, excitedly, as he roused Run-
ning Fox at dawn.
The latter saw at once that the ^Shawnees
were making preparations to depart. While a
few broiled meat over the fire, their companions
were busily engaged distributing and packing
the results of the hunt.
"Yes, I believe they are going to their vil-
lage," declared Running Fox. "We must fol-
low them, and try to carry off Dancing Owl."
The Delawares knew that the Shawnee village
was several days' travel toward the west, and
they hoped to find an opportunity of freeing
162
A Daring Rescue
Dancing Owl before the Shawnees reached their
destination. When the latter finally set out on
their journey, therefore, the Delawares fol-
lowed closely on their trail.
Dancing Owl was placed near the head of the
company. His arms were bound, and as a fur-
ther precaution two stalwart warriors walked
beside him. He rose promptly at the bidding
of his captors, and accompanied them without
protest, and his friends believed that he was
attempting to throw the Shawnees off their
guard.
"Dancing Owl is very sly," Spotted Deer
said, hopefully. "Perhaps he will fool the
Shawnees. "
"Well, if he tries to get away we will be ready
to help him," Eunning Fox told him.
The Delawares waited only long enough for
the last of their foes to disappear, and then
they moved cautiously on their trail. They did
not follow directly behind them, but kept some
distance at one side. They knew that scouts
were sometimes sent back to make sure that
no one was following, and they determined to
take every precaution against blundering into
a trap. Still, they had little difficulty in fol-
lowing the Shawnees. The latter were making
sufficient noise to guide the sharp-eared young
scouts, and the Delawares had little fear of
losing them.
163
The White Wolf
"They have left their canoes, " Spotted Deer
told Running Fox.
"Yes, I am thinking about it."
"What do you make of it!"
"I believe some of the hunters found those
canoes/' Eunning Fox told him. "Perhaps
they took them from the Mohawks."
Spotted Deer appeared thoughtful. An in-
teresting possibility had suggested itself. He
stopped, and turned eagerly to Eunning Fox.
"My brother, perhaps I can tell you about
it," he said. "Perhaps that scout who came
to watch our camp was a Mohawk. Perhaps
when he paddled away he went to meet a friend.
Perhaps the Shawnees came upon them, and
killed them. Perhaps they took their canoes."
For a moment or so Eunning Fox continued
silent. He appeared to be weighing the possi-
bility. Then his face lighted with interest.
"Spotted Deer, I believe that is true," he
said, finally. "The Shawnees did not bring
those canoes with them. They cannot take
them away. Yes, I believe they must have
taken them from the Mohawks. That would be
good. Then the Shawnees do not know that
our village is empty. If they killed the Mo-
hawk scout, then the Mohawks will not know
about our people. Spotted Deer, your words
make me feel good inside.'
164
A Daring Rescue
They resumed their way in high spirits, for
they believed that they had guessed the truth,
and the deserted Delaware village would be
safe from their foes. Then, when they had gone
a considerable distance and failed to come with-
in hearing of the Shawnees, they became sus-
picious. They wondered if the latter had sud-
denly become more cautious.
" Those old women have stopped their noise,"
Running Fox said, sarcastically. " Perhaps
something has frightened them. We must
watch sharp. "
"It is mysterious," agreed Spotted Deer.
They advanced with great care, watching and
listening for a clew of their foes. When they
failed to locate them they wondered if they
had blundered from the trail. It seemed to be
the only solution.
" Perhaps they have gone some other way,"
suggested Spotted Deer.
"We must find out about it," Running Fox
told him. "Come, we will look for their
tracks. ' '
They scouted cautiously until they found the
trail. It continued directly toward the west,
and was parallel with the course they had been
pursuing. It was evident, therefore, that the
Shawnees were still ahead of them. The tracks,
however, had just been made, and the Dela-
wares believed that their foes were within hear-
165
The White Wolf
ing distance of them. They wondered what had
suddenly made them silent.
''Perhaps they have found game," said
Spotted Deer.
" Perhaps they have found enemies, " replied
Kunning Fox.
The thought made them wary. They turned
from the trail, and concealed themselves to
watch and listen. It was not long, however,
before they heard a long, ringing shout. A
moment afterward it was answered with a
chorus of yells directly ahead of them. Then
they heard a confused babel of voices.
"They have killed something," said Spotted
Deer.
" It is good, " declared Bunning Fox. ' ' They
will stop to cut up the meat. Then we will
come up with them. ' 9
They moved stealthily in the direction of the
sounds, and soon located the Shawnees beside
a small woodland stream which flowed from the
north. They were talking and laughing, and
were apparently in a merry mood. The Dela-
wares felt certain that they had killed more
game. The idea filled them with envy, as they
contrasted the success of the Shawnees with
the misfortunes which had suddenly fallen upon
the Delawares.
' ' Mauwallauwin, the Great Hunter, is good
to our enemies," Spotted Deer said, bitterly.
166
A Daring Rescue
"It is bad/' replied Running Fox.
Determined to learn the cause of the merry-
making, the Delawares moved noiselessly upon
their foes. They advanced slowly along the
stream until they saw the Shawnees. They
were grouped about some object on the ground.
Then, as the Delawares continued to watch,
they saw a warrior rise in the center of the
company with the fresh pelt of a black bear
across his arm. He draped the skin about his
shoulders, and strutted proudly before his com-
rades, who greeted him with shouts of approval.
"That man feels very big," said Sunning
Fox. "He is telling his friends what a great
fight he made. See, he is showing them how
Machque rushed at him.' 7
The hunter evidently was illustrating the
story of his encounter with the bear. His ges-
tures denoted that the battle had been fiercely
fought, and it appeared that he had conducted
himself with great skill and bravery. His com-
panions seemed thoroughly to enjoy his boast-
ful recital. Whenever he paused they immedi-
ately urged him to continue the story.
The Delawares, however, concentrated their
attention upon Dancing Owl. The latter stood
at the edge of the group about the story-teller,
but showed little interest. He seemed to be
closely watching the Shawnees, and whenever
167
The White Wolf
he believed himself unobserved his eyes turned
swiftly toward the forest. His maneuvers
filled his tribesmen with hope. They believed
that he had understood the signal, and was
expecting aid from his friends.
"It is good/' whispered Eunning Fox.
"Dancing Owl is watching for a sign. Well,
we will let him know that we are ready to help
him."
Running Fox picked a stone from the edge
of the stream, and tapped on the trunk of a
dead pine to imitate the drumming of Papaches,
the woodpecker. The imitation was perfect,
and the Shawnees showed little interest in it.
After a short interval, Running Fox repeated
the signal.
"Now you must watch sharp, " he told
Spotted Deer.
Then he waded across the stream, and dis-
appeared into the forest. Spotted Deer knew
what he was about to do, and he waited in
breathless suspense to learn the result of the
stratagem. Long, anxious moments passed,
and still the Shawnees lingered to satisfy the
vanity of their tribesman. Then he again heard
the drumming of Papaches, and it sounded a
considerable distance away. This time, how-
ever, the signal suddenly ceased in the middle
of a sharp resonant tattoo. It was the same
rallying call of the Delawares, which Running
168
A Daring Rescue
Fox had given with the notes of Gokhos, the
great night bird.
As the sound ceased Spotted Deer stared
anxiously at Dancing Owl. The latter, however,
appeared to have missed the significance of the
signal. Spotted Deer was keenly disappointed.
He had been confident that Dancing Owl would
understand. Then his gloom was suddenly
turned to joy as the Delaware captive glanced
furtively toward the spot where he had heard
the summons.
"It is good, Dancing Owl knows about it,"
Spotted Deer said, eagerly, as Kunning Fox re-
turned, a few moments later.
"It is good," replied Kunning Fox. "Now
we are going to do something big."
Then he explained a daring plan to rescue
Dancing Owl. Spotted Deer was amazed at the
boldness of it. He saw at once that it was
filled with peril, and that the slightest blunder
would cost them their lives. Still he had no
thought of hesitating. Dancing Owl, his tribes-
man, was going to certain death at the torture
stake, and Spotted Deer was willing to risk
his own life in an attempt to save him.
"My brother, I am ready," he told Running
Fox.
"It is good," replied Eunning Fox.
They crossed the stream, and stole cautiously
through the woods until they were directly op-
169
The White Wolf
posite the Shawnees. Then they crawled
through the undergrowth, and concealed them-
selves close to the edge of the water. The
stream was almost an arrow-flight in width,
and they planned to attack and demoralize the
Shawnees while they were wading across. The
Delawares hoped that Dancing Owl would be
somewhere near the head of the company, and
they resolved to make their attack the moment
he stepped from the water.
"See, they are coming !" Spotted Deer whis-
pered, eagerly.
"Get ready/ Eunning Fox cautioned him.
They were overjoyed to see that Dancing
Owl had been placed between the two foremost
warriors. The Delawares waited until he was
within bow-length of their hiding place, and
then they raised the Delaware war-cry and shot
their arrows. One of the warriors beside Danc-
ing Owl sprawled forward into the water. The
other reeled backward, clutching wildly at the
arrow in his shoulder. Dancing Owl leaped into
the bushes before the startled Shawnees thought
of stopping him. Believing that they had been
ambushed by a Delaware war-party, the Shaw-
nees scrambled madly toward the opposite side
of the stream, and took shelter in the woods.
As soon as his friends had cut the buckskin
thongs which bound his arms, Dancing Owl
rushed recklessly into the water, and secured
170
A Daring Rescue
the weapons of the dead Shawnee. He turned
and shook them defiantly at his foes, and then
ran to join his comrades. The Delawares knew
that the Shawnees would remain in concealment
until they learned the strength of the force
against them. They also knew that it would be
folly to loiter another moment in the vicinity.
i ' Come, we must hurry away before they find
out what has happened," said Running Fox.
' i Which way shall we go T ' Spotted Deer in-
quired, anxiously.
"Follow me," cried Running Fox.
He fled northward along the stream. Fear-
ful that the Shawnees would soon guess the
truth, and start in pursuit of them, he set a
terrific pace, and his companions were forced
to the utmost to keep up with him. He planned
eventually to turn toward the eastward and
return to the river, but he feared to cross the
stream too near the scene of the attack.
"The Shawnees will send scouts both ways
along the water," he said. "They will watch
for our people to cross. We must keep going
ahead."
"Yes, it is the best thing to do," agreed
Spotted Deer.
The day was two-thirds gone, and they had
little fear of being overtaken before nightfall.
Then they believed it would be an easy task
to make their way to the river.
171
CHAPTER XIV
THE BLIZZABD
THE Delawares reached the river shortly
after dark. They had seen nothing of their
foes, and they wondered if the latter really
had started in pursuit of them. It seemed quite
probable that the Shawnees would at least fol-
low them as far as the river.
"Yes, I believe the Shawnees will try to
find us," declared Running Fox. "When they
find out how we fooled them they will be very
mad. I believe they will come to this water to
look for us."
The thought made them anxious. They would
have felt considerably safer across the river,
but they saw no way of getting there. The
weather had turned intensely cold, and they
knew that it would be folly to attempt to swim
across the wide expanse of icy water. Then
they thought of the two canoes which the Shaw-
nees had concealed in the undergrowth. How-
ever, they dismissed all idea of attempting to
gain possession of them. They felt quite cer-
tain that the Shawnees would expect them to
attempt just such a maneuver, and they believed
172
The Blizzard
that several Shawnee scouts were already
watching at the spot. Besides, having gained
a substantial lead on their foes, they had no
inclination to lose ground by returning down
the river.
6 'No, my friends, we must keep going ahead,"
declared Eunning Fox. " Pretty soon the
Shawnees will stop looking for us. They will
go to their village. Then Dancing Owl can go
to our people."
Dancing Owl looked inquiringly at his com-
panions.
" You must go alone, " Eunning Fox told him.
"We have set out to do a big thing. I do not
know what will come of it. Perhaps we shall be
killed, but we are going ahead with it."
"Tell me about it," demanded Dancing Owl.
"No, we must not stop to talk," Eunning Fox
warned him. "We must keep going ahead until
the light comes. When we stop to rest perhaps
I will tell you about it."
Dancing Owl asked no further questions. He
knew that a warrior should appear neither
anxious nor curious, and he feigned indiffer-
ence. However, his heart burned with a desire
to learn the perilous undertaking upon which
his friends had embarked. Until Eunning Fox
mentioned his mysterious mission, Dancing Owl
had supposed that his companions had set out
solely for the purpose of rescuing him from
173
The White Wolf
the Shawnees. Now he wondered what had
brought them, and how they had chanced to find
him. Still he was determined to wait until
they chose to tell him.
Then his thoughts were diverted by a
strange, piercing cry which echoed ominously
through the night. He had heard it several
times before; once while he was hunting for
game, and twice while he was with the Shaw-
nees. This time, however, it seemed much
closer at hand, and he noted that Eunning Fox
and Spotted Deer listened anxiously.
"Do you know about that!" Running Fox
asked him, as the call died away.
4 'No, my brother, I do not know about it,
but I have heard it," replied Dancing Owl. "I
believe it must be something bad. It frightened
the Shawnees."
"Dancing Owl, it is the mysterious white
Medicine Wolf," declared Eunning Fox. "I
will tell you about it.'
"Yes, yes, tell me about it," Dancing Owl
said, eagerly.
At that moment they again heard the weird
cry in the north, and it seemed even nearer than
before. It filled them with vague, superstitious
premonitions. To Eunning Fox and Spotted
Deer it brought a challenge, to Dancing Owl
it carried a warning of impending disaster.
They listened some moments after the call had
174
The Blizzard
ceased, and then as they heard nothing further
they resumed their journey along the river.
The night was bitterly cold, and they had
little desire to stop and rest. They knew from
experience the discomforts of a fireless camp
under such conditions, and they preferred to
keep moving. They realized, too, that the
Shawnees might enter the canoes, and paddle
some distance up the river in search of them.
However, when dawn finally loomed up out
of the east they were glad to stop. They were
a long ways from the scene of their successful
exploit against the Shawnees, and they felt
quite certain that the latter had already aban-
doned the pursuit. Still they determined to
take no unnecessary chances, and they went a
considerable distance back from the river to
choose a camp-site. They finally took shelter
in a small grove of young pines. Feeling se-
cure from their foes, they made a small fire,
and when it had thoroughly heated the ground
around it they extinguished the embers, and lay
down upon the warm earth to sleep. Dancing
Owl was thankful for the old elkskin robe
which the Shawnees had given him in exchange
for his own handsome robe of the black bear.
They had tied the old robe upon his back when
they set out for their camp.
It was midday when the young scouts finally
175
The White Wolf
awakened. It was dark and wintry, and the
air was filled with frost. They sprang nimbly
to their feet, and jumped about and swung their
arms to warm themselves. Then they made a
fire, and warmed some of the dried meat which
they had brought from the Delaware camp.
"We have come a long ways/' said Running
Fox. "It is good. I believe the Shawnees have
turned back. We will stay here a little while.
Then we can talk. Dancing Owl, I will tell
you what you wish to know. ' '
"I am waiting for your words," replied
Dancing Owl.
Then as they sat close about the little fire
Eunning Fox told of the misfortunes which
had come upon the Delawares. Dancing Owl
listened with bowed head. It was evident that
the suffering of his people filled him with sor-
row. Eunning Fox told how the Delawares
had given up the missing hunter as dead, and
he described the despair of the grief-stricken
mother. Dancing Owl, however, showed no
emotion. He believed that any display of feel-
ing would weaken him in the eyes of his famous
young tribesmen.
However, when Eunning Fox began the story
of the mysterious white Medicine Wolf, Danc-
ing Owl instantly became interested. Then, as
he heard about the adventures of Fighting Elk
176
The Blizzard
and Ms companions, his eyes flashed with ex-
citement. The strange tale fascinated him. It
also fired his imagination, and made him eager
to join his friends in their hazardous undertak-
ing.
"Running Fox, I have listened to your
words, " he said quietly as Running Fox fin-
ished speaking. "You have told me something
big. It is a great thing to know about. But
your words make my heart heavy. You say
that our people have turned against that great
Medicine Bundle which I see hanging from your
belt. It is bad. Something has bewitched
them. You say you are going to show them
something good. You say you are going to
fight the mysterious white Medicine Wolf. You
are very brave. Spotted Deer is brave to go
with you. My brother, I am brave enough to
go with you. I will go."
"No, Dancing Owl, you must not do this
thing," Running Fox told him. "You must go
to our people. You must dry the eyes of your
mother. We have given you your life. You
must not throw it away. ' '
"My brother, those are bad words," Dancing
Owl said, hotly. "I will pull them from my
ears. You are my friend. Spotted Deer is
my friend. Both of you have risked your lives
to help me. That is how I am here. Now I
ain going to help you. I will not listen to
177
The White Wolf
any words against it. My brothers, if you send
me away you will never see me again. I have
spoken. ' r
The threat made a great impression upon his
friends. They knew that Dancing Owl was not
one to make idle boasts, and his words filled
them with alarm. They found it difficult to
reach a decision. Under other circumstances
they would have lost little time accepting hia
offer, for his ability and courage had already
made him one of the famous warriors of his
tribe. In the present instance, however, they
hesitated about granting his request. There
were several reasons. First, they saw no rea-
son why Dancing Owl should deliberately risk
his life in an expedition from which he had
nothing to gain. Then, too, having rescued
him from his foes they felt that it was their
duty to persuade him to return to their people.
They found it a difficult task. It soon became
evident that Dancing Owl misjudged their mo-
tives, and believed that they considered him
unworthy to accompany them. Once aware of
his suspicions, his friends came to an immedi-
ate and favorable decision.
" Dancing Owl, I see that you feel bad about
this thing/' said Eunning Fox. "You are very
brave. If you feel like going on this dangerous
journey, then I will not say any more against
it."
178
The Blizzard
"It is good," replied Dancing Owl, as his face
lighted with joy.
Then as they ate their rations of dried deer-
meat he told how he had fallen into the hands
of the Shawnees.
4 ' When we separated to find game I went
away with Laughing Beaver, " said Dancing
Owl. "We hunted hard till it got dark, but we
did not see any game. When the light came we
separated to look for tracks. I went a long
ways but I did not see anything. When it got
dark again it was very cold, and I made a little
fire between two rocks. I did not see anything
to make me afraid, so I lay down and went
to sleep. Pretty soon something fell on me.
I opened my eyes and tried to get up. Then I
saw that some one was holding me down. That
made me mad. I tried to fight, but it was use-
less. There were four warriors holding me
down. Pretty soon they tied my hands and
feet. Then they sat down around the fire, and
I saw that they were Shawnees. When it got
light they took me across the water in a canoe.
Then they untied my feet, and took me to a
place where some more Shawnees were waiting.
I believed they intended to kill me, but I was
not afraid. We stayed at that place until some
more Shawnees came. They brought plenty
of meat. Then when it was dark I heard the
cry of Gokhos, the great night bird. I was
179
The White Wolf
lying down, but I was watching the Shawnees.
I saw that they were listening to the night bird.
Then it stopped in the middle. I knew about
it. It was a signal from my friends. That
made me feel good, but I could not do any-
thing. The Shawnees were watching me. They
did not know about the signal. I was laughing
at them. Well, my brothers, after that I
kept watching for my people. Then I heard
Papaches, the woodpecker. I listened sharp.
Then it stopped in the middle. The Shawnees
did not know about it. Then I knew that some
one was trying to help me. I kept myself
ready. Then you came."
"My brother, you are a Lenape," Running
Fox said, proudly. "The Lenapes are too
sharp for the foolish Shawnees. It is easy to
catch Woakus, the fox, when he sleeps, but it
is hard to keep him when he is awake."
Shortly afterward they set out toward the
river. When they came in sight of the water
they saw that the ice extended far out from the
shore. They looked upon it with considerable
satisfaction.
"It is good,'* said Eunning Fox. "Lowan,
the Cold Monster, is helping us. See, he has
set a trap for the Shawnees. They will not fall
into it. No, they will turn back when they
see what has happened. Come, my brother, we
will go ahead."
180
The Blizzard
"Everything is good for us," declared
Spotted Deer. * ' It must be that the great Medi-
cine Bundle is helping us."
"Yes, it is true," replied Eunning Fox.
"Dancing Owl, you must tell our people about
it."
"I will tell them how it brought you to the
Shawnee camp," Dancing Owl declared. "Yes,
I will tell them how it gave you power to drive
back all those Shawnee warriors."
"My father will feel good about that," said
Eunning Fox.
They gave no further thought to the Shaw-
nees, for they felt certain that the latter were
already well on their way toward the Shawnee
village. However, the Delawares realized that
they were approaching the hunting grounds of
the Mohawks, and they knew that they must
keep a sharp watch for those crafty foes.
"My brother, where do you expect to find
the mysterious White Wolf?" Dancing Owl
suddenly asked.
" I do not know where it is, but it cannot be
far away," replied Eunning Fox. "One time
we heard it near the village. We must listen,
and watch for its tracks."
The day grew steadily colder, and Dancing
Owl was compelled to keep rubbing his hands
to prevent them from freezing, for the Shaw-
nees had taken his muskrat skin mittens. He
181
The White Wolf
was thankful, however, that they had left him
possession of his beaver skin cap. Then as
the day was drawing to its close they killed a
large white hare, and when they stopped for
the night Dancing Owl removed the pelt and
made himself a rude pair of gloves.
They were huddled close together about their
tiny fire when the cry of the great white Medi-
cine Wolf suddenly broke the stillness. They
were startled at its nearness. It seemed only
a few arrow-flights away. They threw fresh
fuel on the fire, and sat, bow in hand, peering
anxiously into the dark.
"He is coming to fight us," whispered
Spotted Deer.
"Nechasin, be watchful, " cautioned Running
Fox.
Three times the cry echoed shrilly in the
frosty air, and then it ceased. The Delawares,
however, continued on their guard. They re-
called the words of old Sky Dog, telling how
the crafty Medicine Wolf lingered at the edge
of the Delaware camp to spring upon the war-
riors who went out to find it. They feared it
was attempting to catch them in the same trap.
" Nechasin, be watchful," repeated Running
Fox. "He is close by."
"Perhaps he is watching us," Dancing Owl
said, uneasily.
182
The Blizzard
"Yes, yes, I believe I saw his eyes!" de-
clared Spotted Deer.
"Where?" Running Fox inquired quickly.
"Over there," said Spotted Deer.
They peered anxiously toward the spot, but
failed to see anything. Then they listened for
the sound of stealthy footsteps. A tree cracked
sharply with frost, and they started nervously.
The close proximity of the mysterious Medicine*
Creature filled them with superstitious awe.
Eunning Fox unfastened the Mohawk medicine
trophy, and held it in his hands. He was rely-
ing upon it to give him power over the strange
Medicine Being. They watched and listened
a long time, but nothing happened.
"I believe he has gone away," declared Danc-
ing Owl. "Perhaps that great Medicine
Bundle drove him off."
"It is the way he fooled those Lenape hun-
ters," replied Eunning Fox. "Sky Dog told
us about it. When they stopped at night the
great white Medicine Wolf always called
around them. That chased away the game.
Then when they grew hungry and weak he
brought his warriors and killed them. Perhaps
he does not know that we have this meat. Per-
haps he is driving away the game. Then he
will come to kill us. Well, we will be strong
and ready to fight. We will fool him."
"Do you believe that the great White Wolf
183
The White Wolf
came here alone ? ' ' Dancing Owl asked Eunning
Fox.
"Yes, I believe he came here alone to find
out about us," replied Running Fox.
"When it grows light we will look for his
tracks," proposed Spotted Deer.
They kept the fire burning, and took turns
at watching until daylight. Then they scouted
carefully about their camp-site to discover the
trail of the White Wolf. The ground, however,
was frozen hard and covered with a heavy white
frost, and they soon realized that it would be
useless to continue the search.
"Well, my brother, what is the best thing to
do?" inquired Spotted Deer.
"We will keep hunting around this place
until we find the mysterious Medicine Wolf,"
declared Eunning Fox.
They spent the day searching through the
woods, but they saw no sign of the White Wolf
and his pack. Toward the end of the day, how-
ever, Dancing Owl surprised and killed a fat
young buck. He was greatly astonished when
his friends warned him against using any of
the meat.
"It is the work of the Medicine Wolf," Eun-
ning Fox declared, suspiciously. "Yes, my
brother, he has chased that buck here for us to
kill. That is how he fooled our people long,
long ago. The medicine-man warned the peo-
184
The Blizzard
pie not to eat the meat. Then one of the young
men took some of it, and he fell down dead.
No, Dancing Owl, you must not eat this meat. ' '
"Bunning Fox, I believe what you say is
true," Spotted Deer said, solemnly. "It would
be very foolish to eat that meat."
"My brothers, I will listen to your words,"
agreed Dancing Owl. "But I will skin this
buck. Then I will cut up some of the hide,
and make something to walk on when Lowan
spreads the great white robe upon the ground. ' '
"Yes, that is good," said Bunning Fox. "We
will help you.'
They soon removed the pelt, and then as the
day was almost ended they returned to the
camp-site where they had spent the previous
night. Dancing Owl stopped on the way to cut
two stout young willows. Then as they sat
about the fire he bent the willow saplings into
the form of the Delaware snowshoes. He tied
the ends together with strips of sinew. Then
he stretched deer hide over the frames. Thus
he provided himself with a crude, but service-
able pair of snowshoes.
That night they again heard the White Wolf,
but it seemed a considerable distance to the
northward. They wondered if he had gone
back to tell his people what he had seen.
"Perhaps he is calling us," said Spotted
Deer,
185
The White Wolf
"We will follow him," declared Eunning
Fox.
They were awakened shortly before dawn
by a great tempest which roared down from the
north, and shook the wilderness with its force.
It brought a fierce, biting cold that cut like the
knife of a foe. The Delawares shivered, and
cowered before the savage attack of Lowan,
the Cold Monster.
"It is bad," cried Eunning Fox. "Lowan is
shooting his arrows at us. They are passing
through my robe. See, we are shaking like old
women. 7 '
As soon as it grew light they looked anx-
iously at the sky. It was dark and stormy, and
threatened snow. The possibility troubled
them. They knew the peril of being overtaken
by one of the great blizzards which raged
through the forest at that season. Many Dela-
ware warriors had lost their lives in those fierce
tornadoes of wind, and snow, and shriveling
cold. Eunning Fox himself had narrowly es-
caped in a harrowing experience which he had
shared with his father. He had no desire to
pass through the ordeal a second time, and as
he noted all the signs of an approaching
blizzard he was eager to find some haven of
refuge.
"My friends, I do not like the way it looks
up there," he said, pointing toward the sky.
186
The Blizzard
"It is very cold. The wind is strong. It looks
black up there. Pretty soon Lowan will fill
the air with little white things. Then it will
be hard to see. It will be hard to breathe.
It will be hard to find our way. Come, we will
look for some place to hide in.' 7
His friends were somewhat surprised when
Eunning Fox turned away from the river, and
set out toward the west. He led them through
the woods at a furious pace, and cast many
uneasy glances at the lowering sky. He knew
that once the storm broke it might continue
several days, and transform the wilderness into
a great white death-trap. He hoped to find
shelter under an overhanging ledge somewhere
along the low ridge which ran parallel with the
river.
Before they had covered half of the distance,
however, the storm broke upon them. It began
with a sudden flurry of hard, icy snow crystals
that swirled into their faces like a swarm of
angry bees. Lowanachen, the fierce north wind,
roared his challenge through the wilderness,
and the great trees trembled and swayed be-
neath his attack.
"It is Machtapan, the great storm !" cried
Eunning Fox, but his words were swept away
by the wind.
The storm increased in fury each moment,
and the forest was soon enveloped in a blinding
187
The White Wolf
smother of wind-driven snow. The Delawares
faced it with lowered heads, and continued
doggedly toward the ridges. Eunning Fox
knew that it would be folly to stop in the open
woods, and he determined to keep traveling
until he found shelter.
It was impossible to see more than a bow-
length or so through the stifling clouds of snow.
The Delawares kept close together to guard
against becoming separated, for at times they
entirely lost sight of one another. Then they
would shout, and Eunning Fox would immedi-
ately stop and call them to him.
"Wait! Wait! Dancing Owl has disap-
peared ! * ' Spotted Deer cried, excitedly.
Eunning Fox turned in alarm. He saw
Spotted Deer staggering toward him through
the weird white haze. There was no one be-
hind him.
' ' Call him ! Call him ! ' ' shouted Eunning Fox.
They united their voices in the ringing war-
cry of their people, but it sounded weak and
futile in the fury of the tempest. Then they
listened anxiously. Their ears were filled with
the wild tumult of Machtapan, the great storm.
They shouted again and again, but only the
wind replied. They continued to call, however,
hoping that Dancing Owl might catch one of the
signals. Then, when they had almost aban-
doned hope, he suddenly found them.
188
The Blizzard
"You have come, it is good,' 7 said Eunning
Fox. "How did you come to go away?"
"I was right behind Spotted Deer, and then
I fell down. When I got up I could not see
him," Dancing Owl explained.
"It is Machtapan, the great storm," Eunning
Fox told his companions. "We must keep close
together. There is only one way to do it.
Spotted Deer, you must hold fast to the end
of my bow. Dancing Owl, you must hold fast
to the bow of Spotted Deer. Then fierce Low-
anachen cannot pull us away."
Thus they fought their way against the bliz-
zard. It was slow, painful traveling, and at
times they were forced to stop and take shelter
behind the trees to regain their breath. How-
ever, they realized that it would be fatal to
loiter, for the day was far along, and the storm
appeared to be increasing in violence. The snow
was already more than ankle deep, and the wind
was sweeping it into little mounds which would
grow into huge drifts by nightfall. The Dela-
wares knew that unless they soon found shelter,
it would not be long before the storm would ex-
haust their strength. The thought roused them
to great effort. They pushed forward at a des-
perate pace, hoping to find a hiding place
somewhere along the rocky ridge toward which
they were struggling.
Then when they finally reached it, and clam-
189
The White Wolf
bered toilfully up the bare, wind-swept slope,
the storm assailed them with increased fury.
Having reached their goal, however, they de-
termined to fight on until they found some sort
of shelter. Then an alarming possibility con-
fronted them. Suppose they should fail. They
weakened at the thought. They knew that fail-
ure meant death.
"No, no, we will not die," Eunning Fox said,
stubbornly, through clenched teeth. "Pretty
soon we will find a place to hide in. We are
warriors. We must be brave. We must fight
to keep alive. "
His words revived the spirits of his com-
rades, and they followed him with new hope.
He continued along the sheltered side of the
ridge, hoping to stumble upon a rocky cavern,
or a projecting ledge, where they might take
shelter. He was trusting blindly to chance for
it was impossible to see a bow-length through
the dense mist of drifting snow.
"It is useless. It is useless," murmured
Spotted Deer. "Fierce Lowan will bury us un-
der his great white robe."
Dancing Owl stumbled along in grim, stolid
silence. He, too, had grave fears that they were
doomed to perish in the raging tempest of wind
and snow.
Running Fox, however, still had hopes of es-
cape. There were two reasons for his confi-
190
The Blizzard
dence. First, because lie had already passed
safely through a similar experience. Then, too,
he still had strong faith in the power of the
sacred Mohawk Medicine Bundle.
However, as the day drew swiftly to its end,
and he felt his strength rapidly leaving him,
he, too, began to lose confidence. At that mo-
ment Spotted Deer relaxed his hold on the bow,
and Eunning Fox turned to see him dropping
to his knees.
"Come! Come! You must keep moving !"
Eunning Fox cried, impatiently.
"No, my brother, it is foolish," Spotted Deer
said, weakly. "We have come a long ways.
My legs are heavy. Come, we will rest here."
Eunning Fox and Dancing Owl raised him to
his feet, and urged him forward. Then, like
three white specters from the Shadow World,
the Delawares staggered on into the gathering
gloom. Their bodies were crusted with ice and
snow, their faces were white with frost, and
their weary limbs sagged beneath them. They
had fought a heroic battle against terrific
odds, and now they were tottering on the verge
of collapse. Still they had no thought of sur-
render. Pluckily, doggedly, defiantly, they
fought their way forward against the storm.
The snow was almost to their knees, and in
many places they floundered through drifts
waist deep. Still they made no attempt to use
191
The White Wolf
their snowshoes. Their one thought was to keep
moving. They knew that if they once stopped
they might not be able to rouse themselves to
renew their efforts.
"My brothers, it is getting dark,'' Run-
ning Fox stammered, weakly. "We must
watch "
He ceased speaking, and pointed excitedly
ahead of him. A long, dark object had sud-
denly loomed up through the snow. Scarcely
daring to hope, they floundered forward with
wild, questioning eyes. A moment later they
scrambled joyfully into a great roomy cavern
beneath a long, projecting ledge of rock.
CHAPTEE XV
A FRESH TRAIL
ONCE aware that they were safe, the Dela-
wares quickly rallied from their exhaustion.
They found themselves in a low roomy cavern
at the base of a massive ledge. The shelter
appeared to be several arrow-flights in length,
and five or six bow-lengths in width, and as it
was on the leeward side of the ridge it was
snug and free from snow. A heavy carpet of
leaves had drifted into it, and some dead
branches which had fallen from the trees grow-
ing along the top of the ledge. For the mo-
ment, however, the Delawares had neither time
nor inclination to explore the place. Darkness
was already settling down, and their first
thought was to protect themselves against the
piercing cold.
"See, here is wood," Eunning Fox cried,
gayly. "Now we will soon be warm."
He shook the snow from his garments, and
freed himself from his pack and snowshoes.
Then he carefully unwrapped his fire-sticks,
and was overjoyed to find his tinder safe and
dry. In the meantime his comrades had slipped
193
The White Wolf
their packs, and Spotted Deer had gathered a
small supply of dry wood for the fire. It was
some time, however, before Eunning Fox could
summon sufficient strength to manipulate the
fire-drill. After a number of attempts he
finally succeeded in producing a little pile of
charred wood dust which he carefully fanned
into a glow. He carried it to the little mound
of leaves and sticks which Spotted Deer had
prepared. A moment later the camp-fire blazed
into life.
"It is good," Eunning Fox said, thankfully,
as they huddled close about the flames.
"Fierce Lowan cannot harm us now," de-
clared Dancing Owl.
"Eunning Fox, my words have come true,"
Spotted Deer said, weakly. "Everything has
turned good for us. It must be that the great
Medicine Bundle is helping us."
As the fire gained strength, and shed its
warmth upon them, the exhausted young scouts
suddenly forgot the great storm that was rag-
ing in unabated fury at the edge of their shel-
ter. The crackle of the flames drove the noise
of the tempest from their ears, and they lost
all fear of Lowan, the Cold Monster, and his
blustering ally, Lowanachen, the north wind.
They shook the snow from their robes, and
spread them to dry before the fire. Then they
194
A Fresh Trail
produced generous rations of dried meat, and
heated it before the flames. It warmed them
and gave them new strength. Their fears in-
stantly took flight, and their hearts filled with
confidence.
"Hi, Lowanachen, we hear you making a
great noise out there, but you cannot frighten
us, ' ' laughed Kunning Fox. ' ' You thought you
were going to catch us, but we fooled you.
Now you cannot reach us. We will stay here
until you go away."
Then, as if to rebuke him for his boast, the
piercing wail of the great White Wolf rose
above the tumult of the storm. He seemed to
be directly before the ledge, and the Delawares
instantly became silent. They seized their
weapons, and kept sharp watch at the edge of
the firelight. For some moments they heard
only the roar of the wind, the cracking of
branches, and the soft ominous hissing of drift-
ing snow. Then the weird, startling cry of the
Medicine Wolf mingled in the wild confusion
of the night. A moment afterward it was an-
swered by the familiar howl of Timmeu, the
gaunt gray timber wolf. The Delawares looked
at one another in astonishment. It was the
first time that the mysterious cry had brought
a response.
" Perhaps the Medicine Wolf sent fierce
Lowan to drive us into a trap," said Spotted
195
The White Wolf
Deer. "Now perhaps the great White Leader
is calling his warriors to fight us. ' '
"Well, we are in a good place, " replied Run-
ning Fox. "We can make a strong fight. "
"My brothers, I am thinking about some-
thing different," Dancing Owl told them.
"Perhaps the mysterious white Medicine Wolf
lives in this place."
Eunning Fox and Spotted Deer were startled
by the possibility. They looked uneasily into
the darkness which concealed the rest of the
ledge. They wondered if the strange Medicine
Creature and his people really lived there.
Perhaps some of them were watching from
the shadows. Perhaps they were lying just be-
yond the firelight, awaiting the signal from
their leader to rush in and destroy the bold in-
truders who had blundered into their strong-
hold.
"Dancing Owl, your words may be true,"
said Eunning Fox. "We cannot see what is
over there in the dark. Perhaps there are
many wolves hiding in that place. We must
keep a sharp watch until it grows light. Then
we will know about it."
The cries had ceased, and the Delawares won-
dered whether the Medicine Wolf had gone
away, or crept stealthily into the other end of
the ledge. As they had no way of learning,
they determined to be prepared for a sudden
196
A Fresh Trail
attack. While two kept guard at the edge of
the firelight, therefore, the other moved cau-
tiously about gathering the available supply
of dry wood. They piled it close beside the
fire for use during the night. Then they agreed
that two should sleep while one kept watch.
They passed safely through the night, how-
ever, and at daylight they saw that the storm
had ceased. Once awake, their first thought
was thoroughly to explore the ledge beneath
which they had taken shelter. They made a
number of interesting discoveries. At several
spots slabs of rock had fallen from the roof
of the cavern, and piled up before the ledge,
affording ideal barricades for defense against
attack. The Delawares realized that with little
effort these defenses could be strengthened, so
that one or two determined warriors might hold
off a vastly superior number of foes.
"It is good," said Kunning Fox. "If our
enemies come here we will crawl behind these
rocks, and make a big fight. ' '
Then as they advanced farther along the
shelter they came upon a slight depression
in the ground which was partly filled with
ashes and charred wood. The roof of the ledge
above it was blackened by smoke, and they
knew that many fires had been made at that
spot. However, a careful examination con-
197
The White Wolf
vinced them that a long time had passed since
the last fire was kindled there.
"Hi, here is something different," cried
Dancing Owl.
He was brushing the dust from the rear wall
of the shelter. Then he showed his companions
several crude figures which had been scratched
upon the rock. One looked like the image of
a bear, but the marks had apparently been
there a long time, and the Delawares were un-
able to interpret them. Nevertheless, the dis-
covery convinced them that the place was
visited at certain seasons by some of their foes.
They had little doubt that it was a rendezvous
of the Mohawks, on some of their hunting and
fishing expeditions.
"See," cried Spotted Deer, "I have found
some bones. They have been cracked open.
There must have been old people at this camp.
They always eat the soft meat inside of the
bones. My brothers, if the old people came
here then this place cannot be far from a big
camp. Old people do not travel far."
"Those are good words," agreed Running
Fox, as he knelt to examine the debris which
Spotted Deer had unearthed from the fireplace.
"Perhaps some old man came here to talk
with the strange Medicine Creatures," sug-
gested Dancing Owl.
"My brothers, these bones are dried up.
198
A Fresh Trail
They have been here a long time/' declared
Running Fox, as he snapped one of the frag-
ments between his fingers. "The ashes are
old. I believe that many moons have passed
since any one stopped here."
"It looks true," replied Spotted Deer.
Then, farther along the ledge, they found a
second fireplace, larger than the first. It was
in the center of the shelter, and a low barricade
of rocks had been piled up on three sides of
it. They found more fragments of charred
bones at that spot, and what was still more
interesting they found a number of small pieces
of clay pottery. Some of it was decorated
with crude designs which Eunning Fox and
Spotted Deer instantly recognized.
"Now I know who comes to this place," de-
clared Running Fox. "Yes, my brothers, it is
our enemies the Mohawks. These are their
marks. We saw these marks in the great Mo-
hawk camp."
"It is true," agreed Spotted Deer.
Having made certain the identity of the peo-
ple who visited the ledge, the Delawares deter-
mined to be on their guard. However, they
had little fear of their foes coming to the ledge
at that particular time. They believed that
the great storm would keep them within close
range of the Mohawk village, which they knew
was several days' travel to the northward.
199
The White Wolf
"Well, my brothers, now we know about this
place," said Spotted Deer, when they had com-
pleted their explorations. "We know that the
mysterious white Medicine Wolf does not live
here. We have found the camp-fires of our
enemies the Mohawks. It is good. We will be
as watchful as Woakus, the fox.'
"Now I am going to look for the tracks of
the great White Wolf," Eunning Fox told
them.
"Yes, we will look around and see what we
can find," said Dancing Owl.
The day was dark and cold, and the gloomy
sky threatened more snow. The wind, how-
ever, had entirely subsided, and a soothing
calm had settled upon the wilderness. The
Delawares planned to spend the day hunting
about the vicinity of the ledge. They knew
that any tracks which the White Wolf and his
companions might have left the previous night
had been entirely obliterated by the storm, but
they hoped to find a fresh trail.
They found it necessary to use their snow-
shoes, as the snow was knee-deep on the level,
and double that depth in the gullies and drifts.
Dancing Owl gave his friends great amusement
as he started out on his improvised snowshoes
of deer-hide. However, he soon proved that
they were as serviceable as those of his com-
panions.
200
A Fresh Trail
"If the Medicine Wolf smells your tracks
he will take you for Achtu, the deer," said
Kunning Fox, with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
"Well, if he follows me he will find out some-
thing different, " replied Dancing Owl.
They made their way to the top of the ridge
to reconnoiter the surrounding country. Their
first concern was to learn if it sheltered their
foes, and they scanned the sky for traces of
smoke. Then, as they saw nothing to make
them suspicious, their thoughts turned upon the
mysterious White Wolf. Where had he gone?
Where did he stay? How could they find him?
The questions were difficult to answer.
"There is only one way to do this thing, "
said Kunning Fox. "We will keep moving
around until we find his trail. Perhaps it will
take a long time, but it is the best thing to
do."
As they had heard the White Wolf toward
the north, they set out in that direction. They
kept to the top of the ridge, for the wind had
swept away much of the snow, and it offered
easier traveling. At midday, however, they
descended cautiously into a dense forest of
spruces. It looked like a splendid shelter for
game, and they believed that the White Wolf
and his pack might have made it their rendez-
vous.
"I know this place," Eunning Fox said, soon
201
The White Wolf
after they entered the timber. ' ' Spotted Deer,
look around you."
"Yes, my brother, I have been here before,"
declared Spotted Deer. "It is the place where
we climbed a tree to hide from the Mohawks."
They recognized the dense forest as the spot
where they had hidden themselves to escape a
company of Mohawk scouts, whom they encoun-
tered on their journey toward the Mohawk
camp the previous year. For the moment the
discovery filled them with joy, for having found
the familiar landmark, they knew exactly where
they were. Then they suddenly recalled that
the spot was a popular hunting ground of the
Mohawks. The thought instantly made them
serious. Still, as they also knew that the great
Mohawk village was a long journey toward the
north, they believed there was slight chance of
encountering their foes.
"No, I do not believe they will come here,"
declared Spotted Deer. "They have finished
the great hunt. Lowan has spread the white
robe upon the earth. It is hard to travel. The
Mohawks will stay in the village."
At that moment Dancing Owl hailed them.
He had advanced some distance ahead of them
while they stopped to talk. They hurried to
him, and found him greatly excited.
"My brothers, I have found the trail of the
202
A Fresh Trail
Medicine Wolf," lie cried. "It is fresh. He
cannot be far away."
"Where is it?" Running Fox inquired,
eagerly.
"Over here by this big tree," said Dancing
Owl.
He led them to the spot, and they saw the
fresh paw-marks of the wolf, leading away to-
ward the west. The tracks were of unusual
size, and they had little doubt that they had
been made by the mysterious Medicine Crea-
ture himself. The trail showed that the wolf
had been moving at a slow trot. Aware that
the tracks had been made that day, the Dela-
wares immediately set out to follow them.
"Perhaps he is trying to lead us into a trap,"
warned Running Fox. " It is the way he fooled
those hunters long, long ago. We must be cau-
tious."
CHAPTER XVI
AT BAY
THEY followed the trail until dark, but failed
to overtake the wolf. Several times it had
slowed to a walk, and once it had stopped
and squatted on its haunches to rest. Then the
trail suddenly turned, and circled back toward
the ledge, so that when they finally abandoned
the hunt at nightfall the Delawares found them-
selves within a short distance of their starting
place. They returned to the ledge with heavy
hearts.
"If we had watched around here we might
have caught him," Spotted Deer said, gloomily.
"No, my brother, he would not have come,"
Eunning Fox told him.
"Do you believe that he knew where we
were?" Dancing Owl asked.
"Yes, I believe he is trying to catch us," de-
clared Eunning Fox. "It is the way he killed
the Lenape hunters."
It was cold and still, and the Delawares sat
about their fire, listening expectantly for the
cry of the Medicine Wolf. The night was well
204
At Bay
advanced before they heard it. Then it sounded
somewhere near the spot where they had aban-
doned the trail. After it had ceased, the wild
baying of the wolf pack filled the forest. The
Delawares looked at one another in alarm.
"He has brought his warriors/' said Run-
ning Fox. "We must be ready."
However, the commotion soon died out in
the distance, and it was evident that the wolves
were going away. The Delawares were per-
plexed. They wondered if the great White
Leader was carrying out some clever bit of
stratagem. The possibility made them wary,
and they determined to take every precaution.
They kept watch through the night, but the
White Wolf and his pack failed to appear.
Shortly after dawn the Delawares left the
ledge, and hurried away to follow the trail.
They found a wide, firmly packed runway
through the snow. It showed the tracks of
many wolves. It was apparent that the great
pack had raced through the night on the trail
of the mysterious White Leader.
"Now it will be easy to follow them," said
Running Fox.
They hurried along the trail. For a short
distance it continued toward the south, and then
it turned sharply toward the west. The Dela-
wares saw that it was leading toward a heavily
205
The White Wolf
timbered ravine, and they feared that the
crafty Medicine Wolf might be attempting to
lure them into an ambush.
"We must watch sharp/' warned Running
Fox. "Perhaps the wolves are hiding along
the sides of those ridges. If we go down there
into that low place perhaps they will rush down
and trap us. We must find out about it before
we go ahead. I am the leader. I will tell you
what to do. You must stay here, and watch.
I will circle around, and come up on the other
side of that place. Then I will look to see if
the wolves have gone ahead. If the way is clear,
I will call you. If you do not hear me, then
you will know that the wolves are hiding down
there. Then you must wait here until I come
back. Now I am going away.'
"Running Fox, you are the leader; we will
do as you tell us," said Spotted Deer.
Running Fox went a considerable distance to-
ward the south before he attempted to cross
the ravine. He crossed safely, however, and
saw no signs of the wolf pack. Then he moved
cautiously along the top of the gorge, and when
he approached the spot where the wolves
-should have crossed he made another detour.
The precaution was needless, for he found the
wolf trail an arrow-flight beyond the top of the
ravine. The pack had gone on. Running Fox
called his companions.
206
At Bay
"My friends, the White Wolf and his war-
riors have gone ahead, " said Running Fox.
"We must follow them. When they stop we
will creep up to them, and try to kill the great
White Leader."
"He is a Medicine Person. It will be hard
to kill him," Dancing Owl said, doubtfully.
"My brother, what you say is true," replied
Running Fox. "But I have brought the great
Medicine Bundle of the Mohawks. I believe it
is stronger than the mysterious White Wolf.
Yes, my friends, I believe it will give me power
to kill that great Medicine Person."
His companions remained silent. They were
not quite so sure of success. However, their
confidence in the ability and courage of Run-
ning Fox made them hopeful. They had little
fear of fighting the White Wolf and his pack,
under the leadership of the famous young war-
rior with whom they had enlisted. They
hurried along the trail, ready and eager to risk
their lives against the powerful Medicine Crea-
ture which had filled their people with so many
superstitious fears.
The wolves, however, showed no inclination
to stop, and the Delawares were thoroughly dis-
heartened at the end of the day when the trail
again turned and led them back toward the
ledge. It appeared that the wolf pack was cir-
cling about the locality, hunting for game.
207
The White Wolf
t i It is the thing Sky Dog told us about, " Run-
ning Fox declared, wearily, as they returned
to the ledge at dark. "The Medicine Wolf is
running off the game. He is trying to frighten
us away."
That night the wolves grew bolder, and came
close up to the front of the ledge. The Dela-
wares kept near the fire, and peered uneasily
into the shadows, as the dismal cry sounded
within bow- shot of them.
* ' They have found our trail, and followed us
here," said Spotted Deer.
' ' Be cautious, ' ' warned Running Fox. * ' The
Medicine Wolf is trying to call us out there
into the darkness. "
"See, see, there is a wolf looking at us!"
Dancing Owl cried, excitedly.
They saw the momentary flash of two green
eyes, and then it disappeared. A few moments
later they thought they saw a dark, skulking
form at the edge of the firelight. As they aimed
their arrows, it, too, faded into the night.
' ' They are waiting for the fire to go down, ' 9
said Dancing Owl.
Then for the first time the Delawares sud-
denly realized their peril. Their supply of
fuel was limited, and they had burned it reck-
lessly to keep the pack from rushing into the
ledge. Now, as the wolves showed no intention
of leaving, the alarmed young hunters saw that
208
At Bay
they would exhaust their wood long before day-
light. There was no more within range of the
firelight. To venture into the darkness would
be fatal. Their predicament seemed serious.
' * It looks bad, ' ' Eunning Fox said, seriously.
"The great white Medicine Wolf has run us
into a trap. I believe that many of his war-
riors are hiding out there in the darkness.
What Dancing Owl says is true. They are wait-
ing until the fire fades out. Then the great
White Leader will give his war-cry, and they
will rush in here to kill us. Well, my friends,
we are warriors. We must fight hard. We
must try to kill the mysterious Medicine Wolf.
It will be hard to see him, but we must watch
sharp. Now we will try to fool them. We will
make a big fire. We will send the light far out
there in the darkness. Perhaps it will frighten
them away."
They placed fresh fuel on the fire, and it was
not many moments before the half-circle of
light spread farther into the night. The Dela-
wares watched eagerly for a glimpse of their
crafty foes, but the wolves kept safely in the
shadows. They had subsided into silence, and
the lads wondered if they had gone. It seemed
doubtful. They believed that the Medicine
Wolf was trying to deceive them.
"Yes, he is waiting out there to catch us,"
said Running Fox.
209
The White Wolf
Then they were amazed to hear the familiar
cry ringing through the night, far away toward
the north. They could scarcely believe their
ears. They turned to one another with ques-
tioning eyes.
"I do not believe it," said Spotted Deer.
"The great White Leader is a big Medicine
Person. I believe he has sent his voice flying
through the woods, but he is out there watching
us."
"It is mysterious/' agreed Running Fox.
However, as time passed, and they heard
nothing further from the wolves, they began to
believe that they actually had withdrawn. Still
they feared to take it for granted. They kept
the fire burning briskly, and continued to watch.
Then, when the last of their wood had finally
been burned, Eunning Fox and Spotted Deer
seized blazing brands and advanced boldly
along the ledge in search of fuel. They re-
turned safely, with sufficient wood for the bal-
ance of the night.
"We heard nothing. We saw nothing. The
wolves have gone away," Eunning Fox told
Dancing Owl.
"It is good," replied Dancing Owl.
They took turns at watching, but they were
not disturbed. The following day they found
the tracks of the wolves within easy bow-range
of the ledge. The wolves had trotted to and
210
At Bay
fro before the shelter, and several had ventured
close to the edge of the firelight. Guided by a
comparison of the footprints, the Delawares
decided that one of those daring scouts was
the great White Wolf himself.
Once again they set out to follow the trail.
This time it led directly toward the north, and
the Delawares wondered if the wily Medicine
Wolf was attempting to decoy them into the
stronghold of their foes, the Mohawks.
* ' Yes, it may be true, ' ' replied Running Fox,
when his companions suggested the possibility.
' ' Well, my brothers, that will not make me turn
back. I have set out to fight the mysterious
white Medicine Wolf. I am going ahead no
matter what comes of it. ' '
"I will go with you," Spotted Deer said,
quietly.
"Dancing Owl, how do you feel about it?"
inquired Running Fox.
"My brother, I am ready to follow you," re-
plied Dancing Owl.
They had not gone far on the trail before
they noticed that the wolves had slackened their
pace to a walk. The discovery filled them with
hope. They believed that the White Wolf and
his pack were growing tired.
"Pretty soon they will stop," said Spotted
Deer. "Then they will go to sleep. Then per-
211
The White Wolf
haps we will be able to creep up to them, and
kill the great White Leader."
"No, I do not believe it," replied Kunning
Fox. "I believe they will be waiting for us.
We must be very cautious.'
Then, a short distance farther on, the trail
showed that the pack had again broken into a
run. A few moments later the Delawares
heard a wild baying, directly ahead of them.
They recognized it at once as the hunting cry
of the wolf pack. It was evident that the
wolves had struck a fresh game trail. How-
ever, the cry of the White Wolf was missing
from the chorus.
"Perhaps he has gone away," suggested
Dancing Owl.
At that moment the haunting wail rang
through the forest. It rose above the excited
yelping of the pack, and sounded a sinister
warning to the Delawares. They hurried on,
eager to learn what sort of game the wolves had
roused from cover.
"Hi, it is Achtu," cried Eunning Fox, as he
discovered the fresh tracks of a large buck.
' ' The great white robe will hold him back. See,
he is sinking far down in it. The wolves will
soon catch him. It is good. They will stop to
eat. Then we will come up with them. '
The Delawares studied the trails with great
interest. They noted that the deer had been
212
At Bay
walking when the wolves discovered its tracks.
Then, farther on, they saw where the deer had
suddenly stopped, and wheeled about. It evi-
dently had heard the dreaded wolf call, and had
turned for a moment to listen. Then a great
bound showed that it had instantly realized its
peril, and had begun the wild race for life. The
snow was deep, and the buck sank above its
knees at each jump. The wolves, however,
seemed able to travel with slight difficulty. It
was evident, therefore, that the race would be
short.
The Delawares had not gone more than a
dozen arrow-flights farther when they heard
sounds which told them that the unfortunate
deer had been overtaken by its savage pursuers.
It was evident that the wolves had surrounded
their victim, and shut off all possible chance of
escape. They were apparently maneuvering
for an opportunity to rush in, and drag the deer
to its death.
"Come," cried Running Fox. "They have
caught Achtu. Now we will catch them. ' '
He hurried recklessly toward the sounds of
battle, and his friends followed close behind
him. The deer had been brought to bay in a
wide strip of open swamp or marshland, and
the Delawares realized that it would be diffi-
cult to approach within bow-shot without being
seen. However, they feared that it might be
213
The White Wolf
their only opportunity to get within bow-range
of the White Wolf and his band, and they de-
termined to take the chance. They hoped to
surprise the wolves while they were flushed with
excitement over the capture of the deer.
"Perhaps when they see us they will run out
on the other side of this place, " said Dancing
Owl.
1 ' No, I do not believe they will run out, ' ' re-
plied Eunning Fox. "I am thinking about
something different. Perhaps that sly Medi-
cine Wolf is trying to catch us. Perhaps he is
leading us into this place to kill us. There are
no trees here. We must fight on the ground.
It is bad."
"I believe there are many wolves in this
place, it will be a big fight, " said Spotted Deer.
"Well, my brothers, I am going ahead with
it," Kunning Fox declared, grimly.
"I am ready," said Spotted Deer.
"I am ready," said Dancing Owl.
The next moment they advanced boldly into
the swamp. They soon heard sounds which told
them that the wolves had dragged the deer to
its death, and that they were snarling and fight-
ing about the carcass. The Delawares ap-
proached with great caution. They hoped to
find and attack the great White Leader before
the pack discovered them. When they were al-
most upon them, however, the wolves suddenly
214
At Bay
caught their scent, and immediately rushed to
attack them.
"Get ready, they are coming !" cried Run-
ning Fox.
A moment afterward they found themselves
surrounded. Having discovered the identity of
their foes the wolves had instantly become cau-
tious. Instead of rushing recklessly forward to
attack them, they separated and circled warily
about them to investigate.
"Nechasin, be watchful," warned Running
Fox. "Pretty soon they will rush in."
" Gischenaxin, we are ready," Spotted Deer
told him.
"Do you see the White Leader?" Dancing
Owl asked, eagerly.
"No, I do not see him," replied Running
Fox.
The swamp was covered with a heavy growth
of low bushes, and it was difficult to see the
wolves as they passed rapidly through the
cover. They kept well within bow-range, but
the Delawares determined to save their arrows
for use at closer quarters. Their one idea was
to discover the mysterious white Medicine Wolf,
and they watched anxiously as the sinister gray
forms flashed across the openings in the under-
growth. Then, as they failed to discover the
famous leader, they wondered if he had left the
pack. The possibility worried them. They
215
The White Wolf
feared that the wily creature might have made
them the victims of some clever ruse. They
had little time to think about it, however, for
the wolves were yelping excitedly, and appeared
to be rousing themselves to make an attack.
"Pretty soon the fight will begin," said
Dancing Owl.
"They will wait for the cry of their leader, "
declared Kunning Fox.
Then they caught a glimpse of the mysterious
Medicine Wolf as he passed swiftly across an
open place. He was gone before they could
study him. They noted, however, that he was
big, and white, and threatening. For an in-
stant only they saw the glint of his cruel green
eyes as he glared savagely from the bushes.
The next moment he slunk from sight.
The Delawares asked themselves why they
had not attempted to kill him. They were
forced to confess that the mere sight of the
famous Medicine Creature had suddenly con-
fused them. For the moment they seemed to
have been dazed, and incapable of action. The
thought alarmed them. They wondered if the
great White Wolf had bewitched them.
Then they heard his voice rising menacingly
in the war-cry, and they prepared for an at-
tack. However, as the moments passed, and the
wolves failed to show themselves, the Dela-
216
At Bay
wares feared that the crafty brutes were creep-
ing stealthily forward under cover of the under-
growth. They watched anxiously, and when
they saw the tops of the bushes swaying sus-
piciously they knew that their fears were true.
Then a gaunt gray form appeared at the edge
of the cover. It stopped a moment, and ex-
posed its cruel white fangs in an ugly snarl.
Spotted Deer shot his arrow, and the wolf rose
unsteadily on its hind legs, and pawed wildly
at the air. Then it toppled backward into the
bushes. Spotted Deer felt certain that he had
killed it.
Soon afterward the Medicine Wolf again
sounded the war-cry, and the wolves rushed
recklessly upon their foes. The Delawares
were prepared, however, and the wolves were
repulsed, and completely demoralized. They
slunk into cover, leaving a number of dead and
dying companions behind them. The Dela-
wares were greatly elated at their success. The
victory gave them confidence. As the mysteri-
ous white Medicine Wolf had failed to annihi-
late them at the first fierce onslaught they had
hopes of successfully resisting him. Still, they
were suspicious of him. They believed that at
any moment he might make use of some strange
power to destroy them.
"We must keep watching," said Eunning
Fox. "The great White Leader is a Medicine
217
The White Wolf
Person. Perhaps he will call some of the Evil
People to help him."
The wolves, however, showed little inclination
to renew the attack. They contented themselves
with yelping and snarling, and skulking cau-
tiously about their enemies. The White Leader
had subsided into silence, and the Delaware s
wondered what he was planning to do.
" Perhaps they will keep us here until it
grows dark," suggested Spotted Deer.
"No, no, we must not let them do that," Eun-
ning Fox declared promptly.
The thought was alarming. The Delawares
had been discovered and surrounded in an open
part of the swamp, and they knew that unless
they drove off the wolves before night they
would have little chance to escape. As the day
was considerably more than half gone, they
were eager to finish the fight at the earliest pos-
sible moment.
"If the great White Leader comes in sight
I am going out to fight with him," Running Fox
declared suddenly. "If I kill him I believe the
wolves will run away.'
"Hi, my brother, the Medicine Wolf has
heard your words," Spotted Deer told him.
The familiar cry had sounded within easy
bow-range as soon as Running Fox had ceased
speaking. It was a strange coincidence which
convinced the superstitious Delawares that the
218
At Bay
White Wolf had accepted the challenge. They
peered anxiously into the brush, but the wolf
failed to show himself. Then as the cry again
sounded forth Kunning Fox unfastened the sa-
cred Mohawk medicine trophy from his belt,
and shook it defiantly above his head.
"Hi, you great Medicine Person !" he
shouted, excitedly. "I hear you. You sound
very fierce, but I am not afraid of you. Do you
see this thing which I am holding in my hand?
It is the great Medicine Bundle which I took
from my enemies the Mohawks. It is very
strong. It gives me power to do great things.
When I hold it in my hand I am a great Medi-
cine Person. Nothing can harm me. It gave
me power to kill the great chief Standing Wolf.
It will give me power to kill you. I have come
a long ways to fight you, because I knew I could
kill you. Before you die you must know who
I am. I am Eunning Fox. My father is Black
Panther, the great war-chief of the Lenapes.
Now I am coming to kill you. ' '
"Wait! Wait!" Spotted Deer cried in
alarm.
Eunning Fox refused to listen. Hastily fas-
tening the medicine trophy to his belt, he fitted
an arrow to his bow, and moved carefully to-
ward the place where the White Wolf was
concealed. He had barely taken three strides,
however, before the Medicine Wolf raised the
219
The White Wolf
war-cry, and sprang from cover. As Running
Fox shot his arrow, the entire pack rushed for-
ward in a furious attack.
"Hold them back! Hold them back! I will
kill the leader!" cried Running Fox.
Then the terrific battle to the death began.
Desperately wounded, the great White Wolf
sprang upon Running Fox, and bore him to the
ground. At the same moment his friends ral-
lied to his aid, and fought valiantly to hold off
the pack. They shot their arrows with deadly
effect, and the foremost wolves were killed in
their tracks, or so desperately wounded that
they floundered helplessly into the cover to die.
At sight of them the balance of the pack lost
courage. They wavered an instant or so listen-
ing for the call of their leader. Then as the
Delawares pressed their advantage, the wolves
gave way, and fled from range.
In the meantime Running Fox and the Medi-
cine Wolf were fighting to a finish. As the
wolf bore him to the ground, Running Fox
dropped his bow and drew his knife. Then, as
the wolf snapped at his throat, he drove the
knife deep behind its shoulder. The wolf
turned to seize his hand, and he plunged the
knife into its neck. Then as they thrashed
wildly about in the snow, Running Fox found
two more opportunities to use his knife. When
220
At Bay
his comrades found time to rush to his assist-
ance, he was already rising to his feet.
1 i Well, my brothers, there lies the mysterious
white Medicine Wolf," he panted. "I have
killed him."
CHAPTER
MOHAWKS !
FOB some moments the Delaware^ stood gaz-
ing incredulously upon the body of the great
white Medicine Wolf. It was difficult to be-
lieve that it was dead. A haunting, supersti-
tious fear still lingered in their hearts. They
almost expected to see the strange creature rise
to its feet, and destroy them. However, as it
continued lifeless, and they finally realized that
it actually was dead, they were thrown into an
ecstasy of joy. Standing close together, they
threw back their heads and united their voices
in the thrilling war-cry of their people. Then
they began to dance excitedly about the car-
cass, shaking their weapons before the snarling
face, and singing the Lenape songs of victory.
Carried away with enthusiasm, they abandoned
their usual caution, and celebrated the victory
with keen, boyish delight.
"Hi, my brothers, this is bad," Eunning Fox
suddenly exclaimed. "We are very foolish.
We have stopped thinking about the wolves.
Perhaps they will rush out of those bushes, and
kill us. We must keep watching. But there is
222
Mohawks!
another thing. We have made a great noise.
It is bad. Perhaps the Mohawks have heard
it."
The warning instantly sobered his compan-
ions. They, too, suddenly saw their folly. They
had little further fear of the wolf pack, but
they believed there was real peril from the
Mohawks. The Delawares knew that they were
far inside of the Mohawk hunting grounds, and
they feared that their boastful shouts of vic-
tory might have been heard by some sharp-
eared Mohawk scout.
"Come, we will hurry away from here," pro-
posed Spotted Deer.
" First we must find out about the wolves,"
Running Fox told him. ' ' Then I will take the
robe of the Medicine Wolf."
Spotted Deer and Dancing Owl watched care-
fully for a sign of the wolves, while Eunning
Fox removed the pelt from the great White
Leader. The pack, however, had apparently
withdrawn. Still, the Delawares determined
to make sure. They advanced cautiously into
the brush, and made a thorough search, but the
wolves had gone. When Eunning Fox finished
his task, therefore, they lost little time in leav-
ing the scene of the battle.
"Well, my brothers, now you know about this
great Medicine Bundle which we took from our
enemies, the Mohawks," said Eunning Fox.
223
The White Wolf
"You have seen it give me power to do a great
tiling. You must tell our people about it.'
"Yes, Running Fox, we will tell them about
it," replied Spotted Deer.
The day had almost ended, and they realized
that it would be impossible to reach the ledge
before dark. Therefore they determined to
spend the night at the first suitable camp-site.
At twilight they stopped beside a little spring
in a forest of giant pines.
"My brothers, I believe it would be foolish
to make a fire," Kunning Fox warned his
friends. "This is the country of our enemies,
the Mohawks. We have made a great noise.
We have left many tracks. I do not feel good
about it. We must be cautious until we get
away."
"We have been foolish," Spotted Deer ac-
knowledged, uneasily.
"Well, my friends, we have killed the great
white Medicine Wolf," Dancing Owl reminded
them. "The mysterious Medicine Bundle has
given us great power. I do not believe the Mo-
hawks can harm us."
"They are very sly," replied Running Fox.
Despite his confidence, however, Dancing Owl
agreed that it might be safer to do without the
comforts of a camp-fire. The night was ex-
tremely cold, and they made a cozy little shelter
of pine boughs, and, after they had cleared out
224
Mohawks!
the snow and arranged a couch of pine tips,
they crawled inside of it to sleep. They were
dozing when they heard the dismal howling of
the wolf pack, far away toward the north.
"The wolves are calling the great White
Leader/' said Spotted Deer.
"He cannot answer them I have closed his
ears/' replied Running Fox.
The following day dawned clear and bright,
and the Delawares set out on their journey in
high spirits. Having overcome the fierce Medi-
cine Wolf, they believed that they had wiped
away the misfortunes of their people, and the
thought filled them with joy. Then, too, they
knew that their success would banish forever
all doubts and suspicions against the famous
Mohawk medicine trophy, and free them of
blame for the ill-fortune which had come upon
their people. Running Fox realized also that
he had accomplished the greatest exploit in the
history of the tribe, and he felt quite certain
that he would be looked upon as a great Medi-
cine Person.
"Our people are with the Minsi," said
Spotted Deer. "It is good. Now we can tell
those people what we have done."
"They will talk about it a long time," de-
clared Dancing Owl. l ' Running Fox, you have
done a big thing. You are a great warrior. I
believe our people will make you a great chief,
225
The White Wolf
like your father, Black Panther. Well, I will
ask you to do something. You must tell them
that I was with you. ' '
"Yes, my brother, I will tell them that you
were very brave, ' ' replied Running Fox. ' * Yes,
I will tell them about Spotted Deer. He is a
great warrior. ' '
Then, as they reached the border of the
densely wooded swamp where Running Fox and
Spotted Deer had encountered the Mohawks, on
their previous expedition, they suddenly came
upon fresh snowshoe tracks. The discovery
filled them with alarm.
' l The Mohawks have heard us, ' ' Running Fox
said, dismally. "Pretty soon they will find our
trail. It is bad. We are in great danger."
"There is only one," Spotted Deer replied,
hopefully.
"Perhaps there are many more along the
edge of this place," Running Fox warned him.
As the lone traveler was moving in the same
direction in which they were going, they de-
termined to follow cautiously on his trail.
"It is strange," declared Spotted Deer. "If
the Mohawks heard us they would have gone
the other way to find us. This man is going
away from that place."
"Yes, yes, it is true," said Dancing Owl. "I
do not believe this scout knows anything about
it."
226
Mohawks!
"Nechasin, be watchful, " Running Fox cau-
tioned them.
He had barely uttered the warning when the
fierce Mohawk war-cry rang in their ears, and
Dancing Owl threw his arms above his head and
plunged headlong into the snow.
"Oh! Oh! They have killed Dancing Owl I"
cried Spotted Deer.
" Hurry! Hurry! Carry him away!"
shouted Running Fox.
Unmindful of their peril, they rushed to
Dancing Owl, and dragged him behind a tree.
Several arrows passed dangerously near their
heads as they sprang to cover. The Mohawks
appeared to be concealed behind a mass of
fallen tree-tops, and the Delaware s were un-
able to guess the strength of the war-party.
They knew that they had been lured into a
clever trap, and they feared that it would be
difficult to escape.
The Mohawks, however, showed no inclina-
tion to press the attack, and their caution con-
vinced Eunning Fox that they were weak in
numbers. Believing that for the moment at
least they had no intention of coming to close
quarters, he turned hurriedly to examine
Dancing Owl. As he stooped over him Danc-
ing Owl opened his eyes. He was bleeding
freely from a gash across his forehead, and an
arrow protruded from his thigh. It was evi-
227
The White Wolf
dent that while his companions had passed
safely through the sudden assault, he had been
struck by two Mohawk arrows.
" What has happened ?" he asked, weakly, as
he stared wonderingly at the arrow in his leg.
"The Mohawks have caught us," Eunning
Fox explained, quickly. "Keep still. Do not
show yourself. ' '
At that moment Spotted Deer shot his arrow,
and Eunning Fox turned to fight off an attack.
The Mohawks, however, were nowhere in sight,
and he looked inquiringly at Spotted Deer.
"I saw a warrior looking over the top of
that dead tree, " explained Spotted Deer.
"Did you kill him?" Eunning Fox inquired,
anxiously.
"No, my arrow went past him," replied
Spotted Deer.
"It is bad," Eunning Fox told him. "Keep
your arrows. Perhaps the Mohawks will come
closer."
Then a shrill, mocking laugh rose from the
spot where the Mohawks were concealed. A
moment afterward one of the Mohawks called
out in the Delaware dialect.
"Well, Delawares, have we frightened you!'
he inquired, jeeringly. "Pretty soon you must
die. Yes, we are coming over there to kill you.
Do you hear those words? Yes, Delawares, we
228
Mohawks!
hear you shaking over there behind those trees.
We are laughing at you. ' '
"I am going to rush out and kill that man,"
Spotted Deer cried, fiercely.
"No, you must not show yourself," cau-
tioned Bunning Fox. ' ' The Mohawks are very
sly. They are trying to make us mad. They
are watching to catch us. If you show yourself
they will send their arrows through you. We
must be cautious. It is the only chance to get
away."
"Kunning Fox, I will listen to your words,"
agreed Spotted Deer. "I see that it is the best
thing to do."
Then, as the Mohawks continued to taunt
them, they suddenly became suspicious. They
believed that it might be part of a wily strata-
gem to hold them at bay, while a courier hur-
ried to the Mohawk camp with word of their
plight. The possibility filled them with alarm.
They determined to learn the strength of the
force against them without further delay.
"Hi, you Mohawks," cried Eunning Fox.
"We have heard big words, but where are the
people who spoke them? Come, we are waiting
for you. You say that you are coming over
here to kill us. You have not come. Are you
afraid? Perhaps you are thinking about what
happened to your chief, Standing Wolf. Well,
I can tell you. I am the warrior who killed
229
The White Wolf
him. If you come over here I will kill yon.
Come, let us see if you are brave enough to
die."
For some moments the challenge went unan-
swered, and the Delawares were convinced that
their suspicions were correct. They believed
that they had been ambushed by three or four
Mohawk hunters, who hoped to keep them on
the defensive until reinforcements arrived from
the Mohawk camp.
"Yes, they are trying to keep us here until
their people come to help them, ' ' declared Run-
ning Fox. "We must try to get away."
They turned to Dancing Owl. He had cut the
arrow from his thigh, and was attempting to
bind the wound with a strip of hide from the
edge of his robe. As Running Fox knelt to
assist him, Dancing Owl fell back exhausted.
"It is bad," said Running Fox. "Dancing
Owl cannot travel."
"We must stay with him," Spotted Deer de-
clared, loyally.
"No, that would be foolish," replied Run-
ning Fox. "If we stay here we shall all be
killed. We must try to get away. We will take
Dancing Owl to the ledge. Then we can make
a fight. Now you must keep watching the Mo-
hawks. I will help Dancing Owl. I will try
to carry him away.'
As Spotted Deer watched anxiously for the
230
Mohawks!
first signs of an attack, Eunning Fox hurriedly
bandaged the wounds of Dancing Owl. As he
finished the task, they heard the shrill cry of
the Nianque, the lynx, ringing through the for-
est, some distance to the north of them.
"It is the signal of the Mohawks !" cried
Spotted Deer. * ' They have sent a scout to call
their people. "
"My brothers, if you stay here you will be
killed, " Dancing Owl said, weakly. "Go, and
keep your lives. Leave me behind. I am
not afraid to die."
"You are our brother, we will not leave you,"
replied Running Fox.
"We are Lenapes," Spotted Deer said,
proudly. " It is enough. ' '
"I will travel like an old woman," Dancing
Owl told them. "If you take me with you, the
Mohawks will soon come up with us. You have
done great things. You must live to tell our
people about it. Go, my brothers, before the
Mohawks come and kill us."
"Dancing Owl, I have closed my ears against
you," Eunning Fox told him. "I am going to
carry you away. If the Mohawks catch us we
will fight hard. If they kill us, we will die to-
gether. It is good."
"Yes, Dancing Owl, it is the only way to do,"
declared Spotted Deer. "We will keep to-
gether no matter what comes of it. ' '
231
The White Wolf
' l Have you seen anything of the warriors
over there behind those trees? 7 ' Running Fox
inquired, eagerly.
"No, I have not seen anything of them,"
Spotted Deer told him.
"Then we will try to get away," said Run-
ning Fox. "Come, Dancing Owl, you must get
on my back. Now, Spotted Deer, you must
hold back the Mohawks until I get away with
Dancing Owl. Then you must run after us. If
the Mohawks come too close behind you, you
must shout out, and I will run back and help
you. Now I am going to try to get away."
He rose with Dancing Owl on his back, and
began a cautious retreat, running from tree
to tree, while Spotted Deer waited to fight back
the Mohawks. It was some moments, however,
before the latter appeared to discover what was
taking place. Then they ran forward, yelling
fiercely. Spotted Deer saw only three of them,
and as he drove his arrow through the leader
the others immediately rushed to cover.
"Hi, you Mohawks, come out and fight!" he
cried, savagely. "See, I am waiting for you."
' l Come ! Come ! ' ' shouted Running Fox.
He was several arrow-flights away, and
Spotted Deer turned to follow him. However,
as he left the tree behind which he had taken
shelter, the two remaining Mohawks shot their
232
Mohawks!
arrows at him. He dodged behind another tree,
and his foes also ran to cover.
"Keep going! Keep going !" Spotted Deer
shouted to Running Fox. 1 1 There are only two
warriors here. I will hold them off."
As he received no answer he concluded that
Running Fox was continuing his flight. Then,
as the Mohawks called out in their own tongue,
he suspected that he had killed the warrior who
had taunted him from ambush. The thought
gave him great satisfaction.
"Mohawks, I am listening for the great
words of your friend," he taunted them.
"Come, tell him to speak."
There was no response, and Spotted Deer be-
came suspicious. Had the sly Mohawks out-
witted him? Had they left their hiding place,
and crept away unobserved? He doubted it.
Not for an instant had he taken his gaze from
the trees behind which they had sheltered them-
selves, and he felt almost certain that they were
still there. However, he knew that once past
him, it would be an easy task for the Mohawks
to circle through the woods, and surprise Run-
ning Fox. The possibility sickened him.
"I must find out about it," he told himself.
Then he moved cautiously to the next tree.
He passed safely. The Mohawks failed to show
themselves. Spotted Deer was puzzled. He
searched every inch of the tree trunks behind
233
The White Wolf
which his foes had concealed themselves, but
he saw nothing of them. Still, the trees were
large, and he knew that the Mohawks might
easily remain hidden. Then he heard a shout
from Eunning Fox. Had the- Mohawks trapped
him? Spotted Deer grew weak at the thought.
Several long, anxious moments passed, and then
he heard another shout from his friend. His
heart beat fast with excitement. He was in a
quandary to know what to do.
' ' I will go, ' ' he said, finally.
He had not gone an arrow-flight, however,
when he discovered the two Mohawks close be-
hind him. Three arrows hummed through the
air, and one of the Mohawks fell to his knees.
His comrade seized him and dragged him be-
hind a tree. Spotted Deer was unharmed. An
arrow had passed harmlessly within a hand-
breadth of his head, and another had buried
itself in the tree which had saved him.
"Well, Mohawks, I have showed you how to
fight, ' ' he cried, excitedly. l ' Come, I have some
more arrows for you."
The piercing Mohawk war-cry was his re-
sponse. Three times it echoed shrilly through
the forest, and Spotted Deer knew that the
uninjured warrior was calling for assistance.
Then Running Fox called, and to reassure him
Spotted Deer sent the great Delaware battle
shout ringing defiantly through the wilderness.
234
Mohawks!
Then, believing that for the moment there
was little danger of being pursued, he sped
away to join his tribesman. He felt certain
that with one companion dead, and another
wounded, the remaining Mohawk would have
little inclination to continue the fight.
Spotted Deer soon overtook Running Fox and
Dancing Owl. They had stopped to wait for
him.
" Where are the Mohawks V 9 Dancing Owl in-
quired, as Spotted Deer approached.
" There were three,'* replied Spotted Deer.
"I left them behind me. One is dead. One is
wounded. And the other one is afraid to fol-
low us."
"It is good," said Running Fox. "Come, we
must go ahead before the war-party comes.'
Spotted Deer insisted upon carrying Danc-
ing Owl, although the latter protested vigor-
ously, and declared that he was able to walk.
However, his friends urged him to save his
strength, so that he might be able to fight if
the Mohawks followed them to the ledge.
"They will come," declared Running Fox.
"Yes, that scout back there will bring them,"
said Spotted Deer.
Their fears were verified when they heard
the Mohawk war-cry ringing out behind them.
A few moments afterward it was answered with
a chorus of savage yells and whoops, and the
235
The White Wolf
Delawares knew that the Mohawk scout was in
communication with the war-party.
* ' Come, we must go fast, ' ' Bunning Pox told
Spotted Deer.
Believing that their foes were already upon
their trail, they feared that the helpless con-
dition of Dancing Owl would make it easy for
the Mohawks to overtake them. Eealizing,
therefore, that they would soon be brought to
a stand, they determined to race toward the
ledge. It appeared to offer them their one
chance of escape.
4 * If we get to that place we can hold off the
Mohawks a long time," said Running Fox.
"Then perhaps we can fool them, and get
away. ' '
Despite his protests^ they took turns at car-
rying Dancing Owl as they sped toward their
goal at an exhausting pace. They knew that
every moment was precious, and they made no
attempt to spare themselves. The fierce yells had
ceased, but the Delawares felt certain that the
Mohawks were racing silently along their trail.
The ledge, however, was not far off, and the
Delawares reached it in safety. They immedi-
ately concealed themselves behind the barricade
of rocks which the Mohawks had left about one
of their old camp-sites.
"Now we will wait for our enemies," Run-
ning Fox said, with great relief.
CHAPTER
A DESPEEATB PLIGHT
AFTER they had spread their robes at the
rear of the shelter for Dancing Owl, Running
Fox and Spotted Deer went to work to
straighten the barricade. They knew that the
Mohawks would have no difficulty in trailing
them to the ledge, and they determined to take
every precaution before they appeared. While
Running Fox worked on the barricade, Spotted
Deer collected a quantity of dry wood to be
burned for lighting the ledge if the Mohawks
attempted to enter.
Then, when they felt that they had made
themselves secure against attack, they turned
their attention upon Dancing Owl. His face
showed unmistakable evidence of suffering, but
he smiled bravely, and made light of his
wounds. He had cut deeply into his thigh to
extract the Mohawk arrow, and the wound
throbbed and burned painfully. Then, too, he
was weak and exhausted from loss of blood, but
his courage was unshaken.
"When the Mohawks come, I will show you
that I can fight," he assured his friends.
237
The White Wolf
"You are very brave," declared Running
Fox.
Both he and Spotted Deer, however, were
greatly disturbed about the predicament of
their tribesman. While they had little fear that
either of his wounds would prove serious,
nevertheless they realized that it might be sev-
eral days before he would be able to travel.
They believed that it would be the height of
folly to attempt to carry him off with the Mo-
hawks at their heels, and they wondered if they
would be able to hold out against their foes
until Dancing Owl could help himself.
"It is bad," Spotted Deer told Running Fox.
"I believe the Mohawks will bring a great war-
party against us. When they find out who we
are they will try hard to kill us."
"Well, I am not afraid," declared Running
Fox. "I believe this great Medicine Bundle
will get us out of this thing."
"If the Mohawks do not come before it gets
dark, then perhaps they will not be able to find
us, ' ' said Dancing Owl. ' l Then we will go away
before it gets light again. Yes, my brothers,
pretty soon I will be able to walk."
"Those are good words," Running Fox told
him.
However, he felt quite certain that the Mo-
hawks would appear before night, and even if
they should not he felt equally certain that
238
A Desperate Plight
Dancing Owl would be unable to get away.
Still, he determined to say nothing which might
discourage him.
They watched in great suspense as the day
drew near its end, expecting each moment to
see their enemies appear before the ledge.
Then as the sun finally disappeared behind the
ridges, and the short winter twilight settled
down, they began to hope that the Mohawks
might fail to find them before it grew dark.
"1$ they do not come, perhaps we can carry
away Dancing Owl," Spotted Deer said, hope-
fully. " We would be a long ways off when the
light comes. Then if the Mohawks tried to fol-
low our tracks I do not believe they could come
up with us. ' '
"My brother, perhaps the Mohawks are
here," Running Fox told him. "Perhaps they
are hiding out there until it gets dark. Then
they will creep up close, and try to catch us.
When we heard them shouting they were close
behind us. They cannot be far away. Perhaps
they are out there behind the trees, watching
us. We must be ready."
The possibility instantly aroused Spotted
Deer. He had failed to think of it. Now it
made him suspicious.
"Running Fox, you are a great war-leader,"
he said enthusiastically. "I believe what you
239
The White Wolf
say is true. Yes, I believe the Mohawks are
here."
They kept a sharp watch, but the light was
rapidly fading, and it was difficult to see far
into the woods. However, they knew that the
Mohawks had had plenty of time to overtake
them, and they felt quite certain that the ledge
had already been surrounded by those crafty
foes. There seemed to be nothing to do, there-
fore, but to watch and listen. Dancing Owl had
fallen into a restless slumber, and they made
no attempt to rouse him.
"If we hear the Mohawks, we will call him,' 1
said Eunning Fox.
Then, as twilight finally gave way to dark-
ness, the Delawares considered the advisability
of making a fire. They had taken shelter in al-
most the center of the ledge, and they realized
that it would be possible for their foes to creep
up on both sides of the barricade under cover
of the darkness. They decided, therefore, to
make a fire, and throw a circle of light about
their stronghold.
"Hi, my brothers, what are you doing?"
Dancing Owl inquired, as the crackle of the
flames awakened him. ' ' You will bring the Mo-
hawks upon us."
"We believe they are here," said Eunning
Fox. "It is the best thing to do. See, the light
240
A Desperate Plight
is all around us. Now the Mohawks cannot
creep up and catch us. ' '
" Yes, yes, I see that it is a good thing to do,"
agreed Dancing Owl.
The talk was interrupted by the sharp twang
of a bow-string, and an instant later a Mohawk
arrow rebounded from the back of the ledge.
The Delawares looked at one another in amaze-
ment. As all of them were safely sheltered be-
hind the barricade, they could not guess what
had tempted the Mohawk to waste his arrow.
When Kunning Fox picked it up, however, he
saw that the shaft of the arrow was decorated
with a number of strange symbols, and a small
buckskin pouoh was fastened among the feath-
ers.
"It is a Medicine Arrow," he said, soberly.
"Some Mohawk Medicine Person is trying to
kill us."
" Watch out, perhaps there is something mys-
terious about it," Spotted Deer declared, super-
stitiously.
Kunning Fox immediately tossed it into the
fire. As it began to burn the little bag smoked
furiously, and the Delawares watched it with
considerable uneasiness. It gave off a queer
pungent odor, like burning grass. However, as
it was soon consumed, and they saw no evil re-
sults, they felt considerably relieved.
"That Medicine Man is telling his people that
241
The White Wolf
he can do great things, " laughed Eunning Fox.
' ' Well, he does not know that we have this great
Medicine Bundle. No, he does not know that
we have the robe of the great white Medicine
Wolf. If he knew about those things he would
not try to harm us."
As Eunning Fox ceased speaking another
decorated arrow crashed against the back of
the ledge. It, too, carried a mysterious medi-
cine charm, and the superstitious Delawarea
promptly threw it into the flames. Then the
strange attack suddenly ceased.
"It is good," said Spotted Deer. "Now the
Mohawks will know that their great Medicine
Man cannot harm us."
"Perhaps he has told them that we are
dead," laughed Eunning Fox. "Well, if they
come to see, we will fool them."
The Mohawks, however, seemed in no hurry
to begin the attack. The Delawares neither
heard nor saw anything of them. Still, they
felt certain that a strong war-party was con-
cealed somewhere beyond the range of the fire-
light.
"The Mohawks are like Timmeu, the wolf/
declared Spotted Deer. "They are afraid of
the fire. ' '
"It is good," said Eunning Fox. "We have
plenty of wood. We will keep it burning until
the light comes."
242
A Desperate Plight
Then the Mohawk war-cry rang threateningly
through the night, and Dancing Owl scrambled
from his couch and joined his companions at the
barricade. They crouched low behind the bowl-
ders, bow in hand, watching for their enemies.
Many anxious moments passed, and still the
Mohawks failed to appear. The Delawares be-
came suspicious. They expected a trick.
' ' Watch out, ' ' warned Eunning Fox. * * They
are going to do something. ' '
Then the war-cry again sounded, and a mo-
ment afterward a great company of warriors
rushed toward the ledge. The Delawares shot
their arrows with deadly effect, and the Mo-
hawks were halted and thrown into confusion.
Then they rallied under one of their war-lead-
ers, and continued the attack. Some of them
actually reached the barricade, but the Dela-
wares shot them down before they could gain
a foothold. Aware that they were sacrificing
themselves in vain, the Mohawks soon lost
heart, and retreated in wild disorder.
"Hi, you Mohawks, why are you running
away?" Spotted Deer cried after them. "Is
the fire too hot?"
' ' Come, if you are afraid to fight, go and get
your women to lead you," shouted Dancing
Owl.
Once safely beyond bow-shot, the Mohawks
began to reply to the taunts. Some of them
243
The White Wolf
called out in the Delaware dialect, and made
boastful threats about what they intended to
do. The Delawares, however, laughed at them.
They had little fear that they would renew the
attack before daylight.
"We gave them too much," laughed Running
Fox.
He knew, however, that the fight was far
from being won. The Mohawks were fierce and
implacable foes, and Running Fox had little
hope that they would yield so easily to defeat.
He believed that they would either wait until
the fire finally burned out, and then make an-
other rush upon the ledge, or else they would
try some clever bit of stratagem to catch the
Delawares off their guard.
It was not long before he saw that they had
determined upon the latter plan, as an arrow
hummed over the barricade and dropped into
the fire. A moment later another struck close
behind Spotted Deer. Then several more
dropped into the ledge. Running Fox instantly
guessed what had happened.
"Keep close against the rocks, " he warned
his companions. "The Mohawks have climbed
into the trees to shoot their arrows into this
place. Keep low down ; if you rise up they will
strike you."
"It is good, they are giving us back the ar-
rows we gave them." laughed Spotted Deer.
244
A Desperate Plight
It was not long, however, before the Mohawks
saw that the maneuver was a failure, and gave
up the attack. Still the Delawares kept close
behind the barricade. They feared that the
concealed warriors might be trying to deceive
them into exposing themselves, and they de-
termined to take no chances.
"See, the fire is dying down/* Spotted Deer
said, finally. ' ' I will crawl over there, and lay
on some more wood."
When he was not attacked they concluded
that the Mohawk scouts had rejoined their
companions. The thought brought them con-
siderable relief. They immediately relaxed,
and after some moments Dancing Owl crawled
painfully to his couch. His exertions had
greatly weakened him, and he was in severe
pain.
"Now you can rest easy," Running Fox told
him. * ' The Mohawks will not come back before
it gets light."
He and Spotted Deer watched through the
night, but the Mohawks failed to attack them.
As they heard nothing of them, the Delawares
wondered if they had withdrawn beyond ear-
shot.
"No, I do not believe it," declared Running
Fox. "I believe they are close by, but they
are trying to fool us. Yes, they are saying,
'We will make the Delawares believe we have
245
The White Wolf
gone away. Then perhaps they will show them-
selves.' "
"Perhaps that is what they are trying to
do," said Spotted Deer.
Then they suddenly realized that they had
burned most of their wood. There was only
sufficient to last a short time longer. The dis-
covery filled them with alarm. They looked
anxiously for the first trace of dawn.
"If the fire dies out before the light comes,
the Mohawks will creep up here and trap us,"
Spotted Deer said, uneasily.
They determined to let the fire die down
somewhat to make the most of the scant supply
of fuel. However, as the circle of light grad-
ually contracted, and the somber black night
shadows crept steadily nearer, they feared that
the crafty Mohawks would be quick to realize
their predicament.
"Pretty soon the light will come," Spotted
Deer said, hopefully.
Eunning Fox stared silently at the sky. He
saw nothing to indicate the approach of day.
The half -circle of light had contracted to half
of its original diameter, and a considerable por-
tion of the ledge was already dark. He feared
that the moment for which the Mohawks had
been waiting was close at hand.
"It is bad," he said, gloomily. "Come, we
will put the rest of the wood upon the fire. The
246
A Desperate Plight
darkness is closing around us. It will bring
the Mohawks. Hurry, my brother, get the
wood."
As Spotted Deer was placing the last of their
fuel upon the fire, the Mohawks rushed upon
them. Several daring scouts had already crept
into the ledge on each side of the barricade,
but they made the fatal mistake of exposing
themselves too soon, and the Delawares pierced
them with their arrows.
" Dancing Owl! Dancing Owl! The Mo-
hawks have come!" cried Eunning Fox.
The next moment the Mohawks were upon
them. Believing that they were about to die,
the Delawares fought with a sullen ferocity that
astonished their foes. Crouching low behind
their shelter, they delivered a staggering vol-
ley of arrows that checked and bewildered the
Mohawks. The latter, however, were not to be
easily driven off, and they fought furiously to
reach the barricade. Some of them succeeded,
but the effort cost them their lives. The Dela-
wares seemed invincible. Try as they might
the Mohawks were unable to overcome them.
Time after time they rushed recklessly forward
to annihilate them, but each time the Delawares
beat them back. Then the Mohawks suddenly
abandoned the attack, and raced wildly to cover.
' ' That was a great fight, ' ' Eunning Fox cried,
247
The White Wolf
enthusiastically. "Dancing Owl, how did you
come out of it 9 "
"Nothing happened to me/' replied Dancing
Owl.
"See, my brothers, the light is coming, " said
Spotted Deer.
Dawn was breaking in the eastern sky, and
the Delawares hailed it with delight. They
knew that the coming of daylight would make
it impossible for their foes to approach the
ledge without being seen, and the thought gave
them confidence.
CHAPTER XIX
A RUNNING FIGHT
As the light gradually strengthened, the
Delawares peered cautiously over the top of
their barricade to discover their foes. They
saw nothing of them, however, and they won-
dered if they really had gone. They had doubts.
The forest was composed of a heavy stand of
hemlock and pine, and they knew that it would
be easy for the Mohawks to conceal themselves
within bow-range of the ledge.
"We must be cautious, " said Running Fox.
"I believe the Mohawks will stay here for a
long time."
"Perhaps Lowan, the Cold Monster, has
driven them away," replied Spotted Deer.
"Yes, it may be true, but we must watch
sharp," said Running Fox.
However, as the day advanced, and the Mo-
hawks failed to appear, the Delawares grew
somewhat bolder. As they had little fear of an
attack, they brought forth some of the dried
deer-meat, and heated it over the embers of the
fire. It warmed and strengthened them, and
they began to feel more hopeful. Dancing Owl,
249
The White Wolf
particularly, appeared strong and cheerful, and
his companions felt greatly relieved. They be-
lieved that he would be able to travel much
sooner than they had expected, and the idea
made them think of getting away.
"It would be foolish to leave this place until
we know what has become of the Mohawks/'
declared Running Fox.
"Yes, that is true," agreed Spotted Deer.
"But how can we find out about it?"
"We must keep watching, " replied Eunning
Fox.
They watched closely until the end of the
day, and then Running Fox suddenly proposed
a plan of escape.
"My friends, I have been trying to find out
how to get away, ' ' he said. * ' Now I know how
to do it. Yes, I believe we can fool the Mo-
hawks. Listen, I will tell you about it. When
it gets dark the Mohawks will expect to find us
in this place. Well, we will fool them. We will
not be here. As soon as it grows dark, we will
crawl out of here, and creep down to the end
of the ledge. Then we will stop and listen.
If the way seems clear, we will run down into
the woods and hurry away. Dancing Owl, do
you feel strong enough to do this thing?"
"Yes, my brother, I am ready," replied
Dancing Owl.
250
A Running Fight
"It is good," declared Running Fox.
"Spotted Deer, how do yon feel about it?"
"I believe it is the best thing to do," said
Spotted Deer. "If we stay here after it grows
dark I believe the Mohawks will creep up and
kill us."
Having determined to make the attempt, they
waited impatiently for darkness. When it
finally came, they lost little time in carrying out
their plan.
"Perhaps we shall find some Mohawk scouts
watching out there," Running Fox warned his
friends. ' * Then you must make a hard fight to
get past them. Now we will go.'
They crawled cautiously over the barricade,
and stole silently along the ledge. Running Fox
led, Dancing Owl followed him, and Spotted
Deer went last. They reached the end of the
ledge without mishap, and stopped to listen.
Then, as they heard nothing to alarm them, they
left the ledge and set out through the woods.
They kept within touch of each other, for the
night was black and starless, and they feared
to become separated. They were a good dis-
tance away when they suddenly heard the sav-
age whoops of their foes ringing through the
night.
"Hi, the Mohawks have rushed into the
ledge, ' ' laughed Running Fox. ' ' Well, they will
see that they waited too long."
251
The White Wolf
Then as the noise quickly subsided, the Dela-
wares suspected that their foes were searching
for them. The thought urged them to a faster
pace. They felt certain, however, that the ex-
treme darkness of the night would make it
impossible for the Mohawks to follow their
trail.
"No, they cannot see our tracks until the
light comes," Eunning Fox declared, confi-
dently.
"Listen," said Spotted Deer.
They heard the call of Gokhos, the night-bird.
In a few moments they heard it again, and they
knew that the Mohawks were signaling to one
another. It was evident that the war-party had
separated to search for them.
The Delawares had little fear of being over-
taken, for they had a good lead, and Dancing
Owl seemed able to travel at his usual pace.
His companions had little idea of the agony he
was enduring. Each stride was like the thrust
of a knife in his wounded thigh, but he bore the
pain without a murmur, and kept doggedly at
the heels of Eunning Fox.
"Dancing Owl, can you keep going?" Eun-
ning Fox asked him, after they had traveled a
long time.
"Yes, my brother," Dancing Owl replied,
gamely.
Shortly before dawn they reached the river,
252
A Running Fight
and then they stopped to rest. They did not
dare to linger, however, for they feared that
the Mohawks might have guessed which way
they had gone. At sunrise, therefore, they re-
sumed their journey.
" See, my brothers, this is the way to our peo-
ple," Eunning Fox told them. "Pretty soon
we will leave the country of our enemies. Then
they will be afraid to follow us. ' '
The river was frozen, but there was a wide
channel of open water in the center, which pre-
vented them from crossing to the other side.
They hurried along at the edge of the ice, keep-
ing a sharp watch for the Mohawks. They had
traveled at a good pace, however, and they be-
lieved that it would be difficult for the latter to
come up with them.
Then they heard them yelling behind them.
They turned in dismay to find a company of
Mohawk scouts at their heels. The Mohawks,
however, were extremely cautious, and showed
no desire to come to close quarters. They shot
their arrows at long range, and whooped sav-
agely, but the Delawares waited for them to ad-
vance. When they failed to do so, Eunning
Fox suspected treachery.
"Come, we will keep going ahead," he said.
"These warriors are trying to stop us until the
rest of the war-party comes. If we wait to fight
them, their friends will come and surround us."
253
The White Wolf
"Yes, I see what they are trying to do," re-
plied Spotted Deer.
However, each time the Delawares started
ahead, the Mohawks rushed after them, and
brought them to a stand. There were six or
eight of them, and still they seemed afraid to
force the fighting.
"Come, my brothers, we will turn back and
chase them away," Dancing Owl proposed,
recklessly.
"No, no, we must keep going ahead, " de-
clared Running Fox.
The Mohawks continued to follow them until
the end of the day, and then they suddenly dis-
appeared into the timber.
"See, their friends did not come to help them,
and now they have turned back," said Spotted
Deer.
"I am not sure about it," Running Fox de-
clared, suspiciously.
' ' What do you believe they are trying to do ? "
Spotted Deer asked him.
"I do not know, but we must watch sharp,"
said Running Fox.
They advanced with more caution, for they
feared that the treacherous Mohawks might
have circled through the woods to get in front
of them. To make sure, Running Fox made a
wide detour to look for their tracks.
' * No, my brothers, I did not see anything of
254
A Running Fight
them," he said, as he rejoined his companions.
"Then they must have turned back," de-
clared Spotted Deer.
"I do not believe it," replied Eunning Fox.
"I believe they are close behind us, but they are
keeping in the woods to fool us."
The Delawares continued to travel far into
the night, and then they turned from the river,
and took shelter beneath the drooping branches
of a massive spruce. It sheltered them from
the cold, and as they had little fear of the Mo-
hawks finding them, they rolled themselves in
their robes, and slept soundly.
At daylight they again set out along the
river. They saw nothing of the Mohawks, and
they felt quite certain that they had finally
turned back. They decided that the small com-
pany of scouts who had followed them were
young warriors who were eager to gain a repu-
tation for bravery.
"They will go back, and tell their people
what a big fight they made against us, ' ' laughed
Spotted Deer.
Before they had gone an arrow-flight, how-
ever, the Mohawks rushed from cover, and at-
tacked them. The Delawares quickly took shel-
ter behind some bowlders, and kept their foes
at a safe distance. The latter kept up a wild
whooping, and it was evident that they hoped
to bring the war-party to the spot.
255
The White Wolf
"This is bad," Running Fox cried, fiercely.
"We must not let them stop us. Come, we will
go ahead."
They left the rocks, and ran into the timber.
Then, as the Mohawks followed, they turned
and drove them back. They were forced to re-
peat the maneuver many times, for the Mo-
hawks continued to harass them until late in
the day. Then, as their tribesmen failed to
come to their assistance, they apparently lost
courage and feared to venture any farther be-
yond their own territory. After a last, rather
faint-hearted attack, in which they kept at a
safe distance from the enraged Delawares, they
finally withdrew.
"Now they have gone," said Running Fox.
"Listen, they are telling one another what a
brave thing they have done."
They heard them traveling noisily up the
river, shouting their war-cry, and singing their
boastful songs of victory. The Delawares had
little doubt that they would return to their peo-
ple with a wonderful tale of their skill and
bravery.
"Well, my brothers, we have passed out of
the country of our enemies," said Running Fox.
' i The great Medicine Bundle has kept us alive.
Now the way to our people is clear. It is
good."
His words filled the hearts of his friends with
256
A Running Fight
joy. They knew that the perils and hardships
were almost over, for they were already close
upon the borders of their own hunting grounds.
The Delaware camp was but two days' journey
away.
" Dancing Owl, pretty soon you will be lying
in your lodge,'' Spotted Deer told him. "We
will make a big fire, and bring you some good
meat. You have helped us to do a great thing.
When you feel strong we will go to our people,
and tell them what you have done."
"It is good," replied Dancing Owl, as his
weary face lighted with pleasure.
CHAPTEE XX
THE TEIUMPHANT BETUBN
BLACK PANTHER and his people reached the
Minsi village in safety, and received a splen-
did welcome from their tribesmen. Big Hawk,
the Minsi war-chief, met the Delawares at the
river, and escorted them into the camp with
great ceremony.
"We have watched for you a long time, and
now you have come," he told Black Panther.
"It is good. You must stay with us many
days. ' '
He set apart special lodges for the use of
Black Panther, and old Sky Dog, the medicine-
man. Then he called upon the Minsi to share
their lodges with the Delawares, while the
young men went into the forest to cut poles and
bark for the new lodges which he ordered
erected for the visitors.
The Minsi hunters went into the woods, and
brought back great quantities of game. Then
for many days the Delawares were feted and
feasted by their generous tribesmen. The
Minsi spared no efforts to entertain their visi-
tors. There were games, and songs, and dances,
258
The Triumphant Return
and exhibitions of skill and magic, and the
Delawares soon rallied from their gloom, and
entered enthusiastically into the celebration.
There were two, however, who stood apart
with heavy hearts. One was White Fawn, the
mother of Dancing Owl, and the other was
Black Panther.
The woman went about like one in a daze,
and old Sky Dog declared that the Evil Spirits
had bewitched her. Each night she went to the
edge of the camp, and spent a long time look-
ing into the sky, and calling upon G-etanittowit,
the Great One, to restore her son.
Black Panther was equally distressed, but he
concealed his anxiety from all except old Sky
Dog. He sent for the medicine-man many
times, and asked him to interpret the dreams
which disturbed his slumbers. Sky Dog, how-
ever, feared to commit himself, and he invari-
ably gave vague and evasive answers which left
him a chance of escape if his predictions proved
false. Whenever Black Panther asked about
Eunning Fox the wily old medicine-man would
shake his head doubtfully, and mumble to him-
self. It was evident that he had little hope of
again seeing that daring young warrior.
Then one night Big Hawk, the Minsi chief,
came to the lodge of Black Panther. The latter
immediately rose to welcome him, and gave
him the seat of honor beside the fire. For a long
259
The White Wolf
time they sat beside each other, smoking si-
lently. Courtesy forbade Black Panther ask-
ing the reason for the visit, and his dignity as
a great war-chief compelled him to remain si-
lent until his visitor addressed him.
"My brother, I have come here to tell you
something good," Big Hawk finally explained.
"My ears are open for the words of the great
chief, Big Hawk, ' ' Black Panther said, humbly.
"Black Panther, I have had a dream," de-
clared Big Hawk. "I saw Running Fox, your
son."
Black Panther remained silent. The Minsi
looked sharply into his face, but the grim Dela-
ware war-chief showed no signs of emotion.
He waited patiently for Big Hawk to proceed.
"I was in a great forest, and I heard many
shouts," Big Hawk continued. "Then I hid
behind a tree. When I peeped out, I saw many
warriors. I do not know who they were, but
they were making a great fight. Pretty soon
I heard the war-cry of our people. Then I
peeped out again, and I saw Eunning Fox. He
was holding the mysterious Medicine Bundle in
his hand. He was standing in front of all those
warriors. They were trying to kill him, but
their arrows were falling all around him. He
was laughing at them. Then they' saw that they
could not harm him, and they became fright-
260
The Triumphant Return
ened, and ran away. Then I did not see any
more/'
Big Hawk paused, and waited for Black
Panther to speak. The latter, however, re-
mained silent. He was gazing thoughtfully into
the fire, and appeared to be considering the
words of his friend.
"I told this thing to Black Rabbit," con-
tinued Big Hawk. "He is a great medicine-
man. He says it is good. He says that Run-
ning Fox has done something big. He says that
Running Fox will return to the lodge of his
father. Now I have told you what I came here
to talk about."
"Big Hawk, you have given me good words,'
said Black Panther. "You say that Black Rab-
bit says it is a good sign. Well, I will think
about it. I will tell Sky Dog about it. He is a
great Medicine Person. ' '
Soon after the Minsi chief left the lodge Black
Panther sent for Sky Dog. When he arrived,
Black Panther told him about the dream. How-
ever, he said nothing about the words of Black
Rabbit, the Minsi medicine-man.
"Well, my brother, I will try to find out the
meaning of this thing," old Sky Dog said, mys-
teriously. "Perhaps it means something good.
Perhaps it means something bad. I will go to
my lodge, and think about it. Then I will come
back, and tell you what it means. ' '
261
The White Wolf
"I will wait for your words," Black Panther
told him.
Several days later Sky Dog delivered his in-
terpretation of the dream. He, too, declared
that it was a good omen, and Black Panther felt
greatly encouraged. He began to hope that
Running Fox might return to him. The possi-
bility filled him with joy.
Then Machtapan, the great storm, swept
down from the north, and Black Panther lost
heart. Having passed through the experience
himself, he knew the peril, and he had grave
fears for the safety of Eunning Fox and his
companion.
"It is bad. It is bad," he told Sky Dog.
"Yes, yes, it is bad," agreed the old medi-
cine-man.
For many days afterward Black Panther re-
mained in his lodge, grieving for his son. The
Delawares and the Minsi both tried to rouse him
from his gloom, but their efforts were in vain.
He took little interest in the affairs of the camp,
and seemed anxious to be alone. His tribesmen
looked upon him with pity, as they saw the
haughty war-chief suddenly changed into a
grief-stricken old man.
Then one day as he was sitting moodily be-
fore the fire in his lodge, he heard a great shout
ringing through the Minsi camp, and the sound
of many people talking at once. He raised his
262
The Triumphant Return
head, and listened anxiously. For an instant
a great hope revived in his heart but he feared
to trust it.
' ' Call Black Panther ! Call Black Panther ! ' '
shouted the Minsi.
A moment afterward Big Hawk hurried into
the lodge. He was trying desperately to con-
ceal his emotion, but the light in his eyes be-
trayed him.
"My brother, I have come to tell you what
you wish to hear," he said, slowly. " Running
Fox is approaching the camp."
For an instant only, Black Panther lost con-
trol of himself, and the stern, battle-scarred
war-chief relaxed into the loving father. Then
he mastered his feelings, and again became the
cold, impassive war-leader.
"It is good," he said, calmly. "I will go to
meet him."
They found the people gathered at the edge
of the camp, looking eagerly up the river.
Three warriors were approaching slowly along
the edge of the ice. A picked company of Minsi
and Delaware scouts were hurrying to meet
them and escort them to the camp.
"See, there are three," the Delawares cried,
excitedly. "Only two went away."
White Fawn, the mother of Dancing Owl,
pushed eagerly through the crowd as she heard
the words. She shaded her eyes with her hand,
263
The White Wolf
and looked wildly tip the river. For one brief
moment she seemed in doubt. Then she recog-
nized the figure of her son.
44 It is Dancing Owl ! It is Dancing Owl ! ' ' she
screamed, hysterically. ' i My son has come back
to me. See, my son has come back."
The distracted women would have rushed to
the river, but she was seized by her friends, and
led into the camp.
As the three young warriors approached the
village all eyes were turned upon Black
Panther. He stood erect, and dignified, with
no trace of the emotions that were raging
fiercely in his heart. The Minsi looked upon
him with respect. The Delawares were proud
to acknowledge him as their chief.
Then as Running Fox and his companions
came within hailing distance, the Lenapes
raised a great shout of welcome that roared
through the valley, and shook the hills. The
young warriors replied with the ringing war-
cry of their nation. Then they advanced
triumphantly toward the camp.
They were met at the edge of the village by
a great throng of friends and tribesmen who
crowded -eagerly about them, each anxious to be
the first to greet them. Then Big Hawk called
out for the people to disperse, and allow them
to pass.
As the lads entered the camp, White Fawn
264
The Triumphant Return
rushed forward, and threw her arms about
Dancing Owl. He held her in a silent embrace,
while the Lenapes looked on with approving
eyes.
Running Fox went directly to his father.
For one long moment they looked joyously into
each other's eyes. Then they clasped hands.
"My son, you have oome back it is enough, "
said Black Panther.
' ' My father, I have brought you the robe of
the great white Medicine Wolf," said Running
Fox.
The face of the famous Delaware war-chief
flushed with pride, as he took the coveted trophy
from the hand of his son.
"See, my friends, Running Fox has done
what he set out to do," he cried, exultantly.
"He has brought the robe of the great white
Medicine Wolf."
The lads were paraded about the village in
triumph. Then Big Hawk summoned the peo-
ple to the council Lodge. When they had as-
sembled he welqomed the famous young war-
riors to the Minsi camp.
"My brothers, you are young men, but you
are great warriors," he told them. "Running
Fox, all my people know about you. You have
done some big things, but this is the greatest
thing of all. Spotted Deer, you are very brave.
We have heard about you. Yon have helped
265
The White Wolf
Eunning Fox to do big things. Dancing Owl,
you are a great warrior. You have killed many
Mohawks. Yes, my people know about it.
Now, my friends, I will tell you that we are glad
to have you here, so that our young men can
see you. You must stay here a long time. Now
I am going to ask your great chief, Black
Panther, for some words. "
"Lenapes, I have not much to tell you," said
Black Panther. "You see what these brave
young men have done. It is a great thing.
Delawares, now you will know that the myste-
rious Mohawk Medicine Bundle is good. You
will know that it gave these brave warriors
power to do great things. Some of you talked
against it. Now you will feel different about
it. You will know that it had nothing to do
with the bad days which have come upon us.
You must not say anything more against it.
I have finished."
After the Delaware war-chief had ceased
speaking, the people began to call for Eunning
Fox to address them.
"We wish to hear Eunning Fox," they cried.
"Come, Eunning Fox, give us some good
words."
"My friends, you have asked me for some
good words," said Eunning Fox. "Well, I
will tell you about Spotted Deer and Dancing
Owl. They are very brave. Dancing Owl was
266
The Triumphant Return
captured by the Shawnees. That is why he did
not come back from the hunt. The great Mo-
hawk Medicine Bundle led us to him. "We
helped him to get away. Then he went with us
to kill the mysterious white Medicine Wolf.
He was very brave. The Mohawks shot their
arrows into him, but he laughed at them. Now
I will tell you about my brother, Spotted Deer.
He is a great warrior. He held off the Mo-
hawks until I carried Dancing Owl away. He
was very brave. If he had not been with me,
I do not believe I could have done this thing.
Now, Delawares, I will give you some big
words. The great Medicine Bundle is good. It
has given me the power of Standing Wolf. The
great WTiite Wolf is dead. The bad days will
pass. The game has come back to our hunting
grounds. We saw many tracks near the village.
Getanittowit, the Great One, has heard our
words. Mauwallauwin, the Great Hunter, will
fill our lodges with meat. When Siquon, the-
time-of-growing-things, comes, we will go back
to our village with light hearts. I have done
what I set out to do. I have showed you that
the mysterious Medicine Bundle is good. I
have showed you that I had nothing to do with
the bad days that came upon us. It is enough.
I have finished. 7 '
' ' Delawares, what Running Fox has told you
is true, ' ' old Sky Dog shouted, excitedly. * ' The
267
The White Wolf
mysterious white Medicine Wolf is dead. The
bad days have passed. The great Mohawk
Medicine Bundle has brought these things to
pass. It is good. I talked against it, but now
I feel different about it. Yes, I knew about
these great things before Kunning Fox came
here. Now what I saw, has come to pass.
Many good days will come upon us.'
Many more noted warriors made speeches
complimenting Eunning Fox and his friends,
and the day had ended when the council finally
broke up. Then the Minsi lighted a great fire
in the center of the camp, and the Lenapes
passed the night celebrating the great achieve-
ment of their tribesmen.
THE END
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